CAIRO: Hamas and two different Palestinian militant teams mentioned on Saturday (Dec 21) {that a} Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is “nearer than ever”, offered Israel doesn’t impose new circumstances.
Final week, indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and america have been held in Doha, rekindling hope of an settlement.
“The potential for reaching an settlement (for a ceasefire and prisoner alternate deal) is nearer than ever, offered the enemy stops imposing new circumstances,” Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the leftist Standard Entrance for the Liberation of Palestine mentioned in a uncommon joint assertion issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.
A Hamas chief informed AFP on Saturday that talks had made “significant and important progress” in recent days.
“Most factors associated to the ceasefire and prisoner alternate points have been agreed upon,” he mentioned on situation of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk publicly on the difficulty.
“Some unresolved factors stay, however they don’t hinder the method. The settlement may very well be finalised earlier than the top of this 12 months, offered it isn’t disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s new circumstances.”
He mentioned that if an settlement is reached will probably be carried out in phases, ending with “a severe prisoner alternate deal, a everlasting ceasefire and a whole withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from Gaza.”
