Sullivan: I seek to reach an exchange agreement soon, and Hamas' position changed after the Lebanon truce

In the same context, the US Department of Defense (Pentagon) reported that Secretary Lloyd Austin discussed regional developments with his Israeli counterpart, Israel Katz, by phone yesterday, Wednesday, and reaffirmed his country's strict commitment to Israel's security. The ministry said that Austin stressed Washington's commitment to securing the release of prisoners in Gaza.

For his part, the Israeli Defense Minister's office said that Katz informed Austin that there was an opportunity to reach a new agreement that would allow the return of all prisoners, including American citizens.

Axios quoted Israeli officials as saying that Israel presented Hamas last week with an updated proposal to reach an agreement that includes the release of some of the 100 prisoners held by Hamas, and the start of a ceasefire in Gaza.

Axios added - citing the same officials - that Hamas has shown greater willingness to be flexible and begin implementing an agreement, even partially, noting that the updated proposal does not differ much from what was negotiated last August, and that the focus now is on implementing the first phase primarily with some changes.

Hamas's position and Trump's threat

In contrast, Hamas leader Bassem Naim said, “Any move by any American official must aim to stop the aggression and reach a permanent ceasefire deal. This requires exerting real pressure on Netanyahu and his government to agree to what was agreed upon under the auspices of the mediators and with American mediation.”

Earlier on Wednesday, the head of the Israeli intelligence agency Mossad, David Barnea, met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha, where talks were held on a ceasefire agreement and the release of prisoners, according to an informed source.

A Palestinian official close to the talks and familiar with the positions of all parties involved spoke about what he called the "negotiation fever" with ideas emerging from all sides, including among mediators in Egypt and Qatar, considering that the participation of US President-elect Donald Trump gave the talks a boost.

Trump had threatened Hamas with paying a "heavy price" if prisoners held in Gaza were not released before he takes office as president, succeeding current President Joe Biden, on January 20.

“I would like to appeal to those people who have been taken hostage: Make the best deal now,” Trump told Israel’s Channel 13 News last week. “Do it now because every day that goes by, it’s going to get harder and harder and more Hamas fighters are going to lose their lives.”

However, anything more than a limited truce remains unlikely, given the two sides' insistence on demands that have hampered and derailed several rounds of negotiations.

Source: Agencies