Tel Aviv, Israel

The United States has put forward new wording in an effort to close the gap in discussions between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and a hostage agreement in Gaza, media reports said citing a US official. 

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The updated language is to resolve a current disagreement arising from Hamas insisting that discussions in the second phase should solely revolve around the release of Palestinian prisoners, while Israel wants to address demilitarisation of Gaza and other matters during these negotiations.

Times of Israel reported that as per partial leaks of the Israeli proposal earlier this month, Clause 8 read, “No later than day 16 [of phase one], the commencement of indirect negotiations between the two sides to agree on the conditions for implementing stage two of this agreement, including those relating to the keys for the exchange of hostages and prisoners (soldiers and remaining men), and this should be concluded and agreed upon before the end of week five of this [first] stage." 

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The US proposal, endorsed by Israel, seeks to end the war in Gaza and secure the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas. It is divided into three phases, with the initial phase involving a six-week cessation of hostilities in Gaza, during which Hamas would release the remaining female, elderly, and sick hostages. Simultaneously, discussions will be held to secure a subsequent six-week truce, during which Hamas would release the remaining hostages, including young men and male soldiers.

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The US is urging Egypt and Qatar to pressure Hamas into accepting the revised wording, as one of the sources mentioned by media reports that if Hamas agrees to the new language, it could lead to finalising the deal.

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'Nothing new'

However, a senior Palestinian Hamas official stated that there is "nothing new" and "no real progress" in the negotiations, as per AFP news agency. 

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The fate of the deal came into question following conflicting statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially expressed willingness to strike "a partial deal" with Hamas to secure the return of some hostages from Gaza, diverging from the proposal. However, after facing criticism from hostage families and Israeli politicians, he retracted his statements and reaffirmed commitment to the ceasefire proposal endorsed by US President Biden.

(With inputs from agencies)