Washington [US], January 29: Talks to secure a ceasefire and the release of the remaining Israeli hostages in Gaza were due to take place in Paris on Sunday.
US negotiators have drawn up a draft based on proposals from Israel and the Palestinian organisation Hamas, which will be discussed this Sunday in Paris, the New York Times reported overnight.
The report cited US officials who spoke on condition of anonymity saying negotiators were "cautiously optimistic that a final accord is within reach."Citing US government circles, the NYT said the deal could involve Hamas releasing more than 100 hostages in return for Israel ceasing its military operations in the Gaza Strip for around two months.
Compared to the seven-day ceasefire in November, during which hostages and Palestinians imprisoned in Israel were exchanged, hostilities would now be suspended for much longer.
Hamas is estimated to have brought around 240 hostages into the Gaza Strip during its attack on Israel on October 7. Hamas and allied fighters killed an estimated 1,200 people including around 400 Israeli soldiers, in the coordinated attacks.
Since then, Israel has launched a major ground and air offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. More than 26,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli military operations.
In a first phase, the fighting should pause for 30 days, according to the New York Times report. During this time, Hamas should release female, elderly and injured hostages.
At the same time, both sides were to negotiate a second phase in which Israeli men and soldiers taken hostage would be released for a further 30 days of ceasefire.
US President Joe Biden sent CIA intelligence chief William Burns to Paris for the talks on Sunday with representatives from Israel, Egypt and Qatar. However, there are still unclear points, such as how many imprisoned Palestinians Israel must release.
The hope of US government officials, however, is that Israel will not resume fighting in the same way after a two-month ceasefire.
Source: Qatar Tribune
