Mediators in Gaza have sent the final draft of the cease-fire agreement to Israel and Hamas
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US-led mediators have sent a final draft of a ceasefire proposal to Israel and Hamas after a “breakthrough” in talks over a deal to end the war and secure the release of hostages in Gaza.
People familiar with the matter said this leaves the warring parties the closest they have come to ending the 15-month conflict since at least July, when a previous attempt failed.
“The final agreement is now subject to approval by all parties,” said a diplomat familiar with the talks.
“The breakthrough was achieved around midnight in Doha. . . The mediators put the responsibility on both sides to agree to the agreement,” the diplomat added. “The next 24 hours will be crucial to reach an agreement.”
It came after a flurry of diplomacy involving President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli intelligence chief David Barnea and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani.
The US, Qatar and Egypt have struggled for months to reach an agreement to end the conflict in Gaza and secure the release of around 100 hostages held in the besieged strip.
