U.S. officials said Israel’s apparent willingness to agree to a cessation of hostilities in return for the release of more hostages being held in Gaza has created a new opening for negotiations.
Any new deal would likely include phased releases of hostages, though the White House is hoping that a more ambitious one, possibly leading to the release of all of the remaining hostages, might be possible.
The talks were mediated by Qatar, which was negotiating with Hamas, as well as by Egypt.
At least some of the officials last met in Warsaw in December, but those discussions stalled over Hamas’s insistence that the remaining hostages be released in exchange for a permanent cease-fire and larger prisoner releases.
Israel rejected any permanent cease-fire and was pushing for a shorter pause in fighting.
Persons:
William J, Burns, David Barnea, Barnea, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Abbas Kamel, Israel
Organizations:
Qatari, Hamas
Locations:
Europe, United States, Gaza, Israel, Qatar, Egypt, Thani, Warsaw