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US-led mediators have sent the final draft of a ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas after achieving a “breakthrough” in talks on an agreement to end the war and secure the release of hostages in Gaza.
This leaves the warring parties the closest they have been to ending the 15-month-long conflict since at least July, when a previous attempt collapsed, people familiar with the matter said.
A diplomat familiar with the talks said: “The final agreement is now presented for approval by all parties.”
“A breakthrough was reached around midnight in Doha… The diplomat added that the mediators are putting the onus on both sides to agree to the deal. “The next 24 hours will be pivotal to reaching the agreement.”
This came after a wave of diplomacy involving President-elect Donald Trump's envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea, and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The United States, Qatar and Egypt have been struggling for months to reach an agreement to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of about 100 hostages held in the besieged Strip.
