CAIRO: Hamas and two different Palestinian militant teams stated on Saturday (Dec 21) {that a} Gaza ceasefire deal with Israel is “nearer than ever”, supplied 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 opportunity of reaching an settlement (for a ceasefire and prisoner change deal) is nearer than ever, supplied the enemy stops imposing new circumstances,” Hamas, Islamic Jihad and the leftist Common Entrance for the Liberation of Palestine stated in a uncommon joint assertion issued after talks in Cairo on Friday.
A Hamas chief advised AFP on Saturday that talks had made “significant and important progress” in recent days.
“Most factors associated to the ceasefire and prisoner change points have been agreed upon,” he stated on situation of anonymity as he was not authorised to talk publicly on the problem.
“Some unresolved factors stay, however they don’t hinder the method. The settlement may very well be finalised earlier than the top of this yr, supplied it’s not disrupted by (Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin) Netanyahu’s new circumstances.”
He stated that if an settlement is reached it is going to be carried out in phases, ending with “a severe prisoner change deal, a everlasting ceasefire and a whole withdrawal (of Israeli forces) from Gaza.”