U.S. senior officials have indicated that there is a chance for Israel and Hamas to reach an agreement this fall to end the nine-month Gaza conflict and ensure the release of Israeli hostages.
On Thursday, July 4th, U.S. President Biden held a 30-minute phone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. After the call, the U.S. official briefed reporters on the progress of the ceasefire negotiations.
As a key intermediary between Israel and Hamas, Qatari and Egyptian officials received a response from Hamas on Wednesday, indicating that Hamas has agreed in principle to the ceasefire agreement framework, although specific details of the agreement are still pending.
The official described this response as encouraging, noting that it could serve as the basis for reaching an agreement.
Acknowledging that this response “does not mean that the agreement will be reached in a few days,” the official added that the White House “does believe this is an important breakthrough.”
The main outstanding issues of the final agreement are primarily focused on implementation. Mediators are aiming to achieve a ceasefire agreement this fall.
The ceasefire agreement is divided into three stages. The first stage involves a temporary cessation of hostilities in Gaza for six weeks, releasing women, elderly, sick, or injured hostages trapped in Gaza.
Subsequently, the mediators hope to extend the ceasefire to effectively end the war and release the remaining hostages during this period.
Israel will also release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, allow more aid into Gaza to enable displaced civilians to return home, including in the northern regions.
The U.S. and other mediators view the hostage agreement as the most realistic way to end the war and ease tensions in the region, especially as the cross-border conflict between Israel and Hezbollah is escalating.
On Thursday, Hezbollah in Lebanon claimed to have launched 200 rockets towards Israel, as well as sending suicide drones to attack Israeli military positions. Israel also conducted airstrikes in southern Lebanon, raising concerns about the potential for a broader regional conflict.
Previous negotiations between Israel and Hamas had shown promising progress, but collapsed due to disputes over key terms.
Mediators had believed an agreement could be reached back in May. However, the impasse occurred as Hamas insisted that any agreement must include assurances of a permanent ceasefire and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected the view that the war should end based solely on a hostage agreement. At the time, Netanyahu defied opposition from the U.S. and other Western allies, continuing attacks on the southern Gaza city of Rafah.
Israel announced on Thursday that it will resume negotiations and send a delegation to Qatar. U.S. officials stated that the U.S. would also participate in the negotiations.