Gaza ceasefire talks have resumed in Qatar’s capital, Doha, with mediators reporting a “breakthrough” after midnight discussions on Monday. The talks aim to finalize a plan to end the war in Gaza, which has left the enclave in ruins and claimed tens of thousands of Palestinian lives.
US President Joe Biden indicated that a ceasefire and hostage release deal is imminent, and US officials have expressed confidence that a deal can be reached soon. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said the talks are at their closest point to a deal reached over the past months.
The proposed deal would see Israel release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the freedom of hundreds of hostages captured during the recent conflict. The Israeli official involved in the negotiations described the situation as “close but not yet there,” emphasizing that some final details need to be hammered out.
The phased ceasefire plan is seen as a significant step towards easing tensions across the Middle East, where the war has fueled conflict in several countries. A successful deal could also ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, which has struggled with power and water shortages, as well as overcrowding in refugee camps.
Fighting continues to rage on in Gaza, with Israeli strikes killing dozens of Palestinians in recent days. The negotiations are set to continue on Tuesday, with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken due to present a post-war plan for Gaza.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/negotiators-seek-finalise-gaza-ceasefire-deal-after-breakthrough-doha-2025-01-13