The United States, Qatar and Egypt issued a joint statement saying the mediators had presented an “interim proposal” that would allow for the “rapid” implementation of an agreement that would end the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli prisoners.
The three countries said on Friday that the ceasefire negotiations in Doha were “serious and constructive.”
The current round of talks began on Thursday amid growing fears of a regional war after Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and Hamas political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.
Friday’s statement was a reiteration of previous statements by mediators who rejected any delay in implementing the agreement to reach a ceasefire and release prisoners.
“The path is now clear to achieve this outcome, save lives, provide relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalate regional tensions,” the three countries said on Friday.
Joint Statement by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar#Ministry_of_Foreign_ Affairs_Qatar pic.twitter.com/A7myXPKsh3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 16, 2024
The announcement did not provide details about the latest proposal, but said it builds on an agreement made by US President Joe Biden in May.
The US-backed plan includes a multi-stage effort to end the war, starting with a six-week cessation of hostilities that would allow for the release of some Israeli prisoners held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
In the second phase, the fighting will cease permanently and all remaining Israeli prisoners will be released. The final part of the agreement will include the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which was destroyed by the Israeli war.
The joint statement by the mediators said that “the working groups will continue technical work in the coming days on implementation details, including arrangements for implementing the agreements, comprehensive humanitarian provisions, as well as details related to hostages and detainees.”
Biden expressed optimism Friday about the possibility of a deal. “We may have something, but we’re not there yet — much closer than we were three days ago,” he told reporters.
The White House later said Biden had separate phone calls with Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi “to review the significant progress” in ceasefire talks.
US Department of State He also said Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to travel to Israel on Saturday “to continue intensive diplomatic efforts to conclude the agreement.”
“Secretary Blinken will stress the urgent need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that would undermine the ability to reach an agreement,” the ministry said.
Hamas said it would only agree to a deal that led to a permanent ceasefire, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and a “serious” prisoner exchange.
Speaking to Al Jazeera, Hamas official Osama Hamdan confirmed the movement’s position earlier on Friday and accused Israel of undermining the talks.
“It is clear that the gaps on the Israeli side are in adding more conditions, they are talking about more issues,” Hamdan said.
For its part, Israel has not announced a clear vision for ending the war. While some Israeli officials have said they support the proposed ceasefire, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that the war will continue until his country achieves “complete victory.”
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu is facing pressure from the heads of the security services in his government to accept the agreement and stop issuing new demands that could hinder the talks.
But the Israeli prime minister’s office indicated on Friday that Hamas was the party obstructing efforts to reach an agreement.
“Israel appreciates the efforts of the United States and mediators to dissuade Hamas from its refusal to agree to a deal to release the hostages,” it said in a statement.
White House spokesman John Kirby said Thursday that the talks in Doha had started “promisingly.” He told reporters, “This is vital work. The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we must complete this process.”
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said on Thursday that the mediators “are firm in their commitment to move forward in their efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.”
Reporting from Washington, D.C., Alan Fisher of Al Jazeera noted that the mechanisms for implementation still need to be put in place. “That means there will be no agreement until there is an agreement,” he said.