New details emerge on Gaza ceasefire, prisoner exchange negotiations

Hebrew media revealed new details and developments in the negotiations regarding a US-backed ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal in Gaza.

The Hebrew newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that the head of Mossad asked mediators to ensure that Hamas unambiguously commits to accepting the outlines presented in the proposal by US President Joe Biden and the Security Council.

The newspaper added that the head of Mossad held extended meetings with Qatari and Egyptian officials, noting a positive atmosphere. 

An “Israeli” delegation is set to head to Qatar and another to Egypt to complete the negotiations.

The first phase will involve a three-day ceasefire, at the end of which Hamas will release three women, according to the outlines. Four days later, on the seventh day, Hamas will release four more women.

It is believed in Tel Aviv that 11 of the detained women are alive, including six civilians and five soldiers.

Despite the optimism and potential for progress, the Hebrew newspaper cautioned that expectations should be tempered due to Hamas' attempts to impose some of its conditions.

Earlier, a Hamas leader explained the reason behind the movement's initial agreement to a US-backed proposal to stop the aggression on Gaza, according to the Associated Press (AP).

The leader stated that Hamas initially agreed to the phased ceasefire agreement and prisoner exchange with the Israeli Occupation after receiving "verbal assurances and guarantees" from mediators that the war would not resume and that negotiations would continue until a permanent ceasefire agreement is reached.

The leader added that Hamas still wants "written guarantees" from the mediators that Tel Aviv will continue negotiating for a permanent ceasefire agreement once the first phase comes into effect. 

Meanwhile, “Israeli” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on not ending the war until "Israel" achieves its objectives of destroying Hamas' military capabilities and governing abilities and retrieving all captives.

Additionally, an Egyptian official and another from Hamas mentioned that the movement has given up a primary demand for a prior commitment from the occupation to a complete end to the war, Reuters confirmed.

He said that Hamas gave up its demand for the occupation to commit first to a permanent ceasefire before signing the agreement and will allow this to be achieved through negotiations during the first phase, which lasts six weeks.

The AP reported that "Hamas' proposed settlement could help reach the first ceasefire since last November, paving the way for more talks to end the devastating nine-month-long war," while warning that "reaching an agreement is still not guaranteed."

The two officials who spoke to the AP said that Washington's phased agreement would first include a "comprehensive and complete" ceasefire for six weeks, during which a number of detainees, including women, the elderly, and the injured, would be released in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.