Hamas has put forward a new demand in ongoing ceasefire negotiations with Israel, calling for open-ended talks on a ceasefire between stages of a potential prisoner exchange deal. This development follows a visit by the head of Mossad to Doha.
Key points:
1. Hamas has dropped its demand for guarantees of war termination before the first stage of hostage releases.
2. The group now seeks unlimited time for ceasefire negotiations between stages of the deal.
3. A senior Hamas official stated that under the revised proposal, male hostages and soldiers would be released two weeks after the first stage.
4. Hamas has tentatively approved the U.S. phased ceasefire proposal, according to sources.
5. The organization is seeking written guarantees from mediators that Israel will continue towards a permanent ceasefire once the first stage is implemented.
6. The first stage of the proposed deal includes a six-week complete ceasefire, during which women, elderly, and wounded hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
7. Israeli forces are expected to withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza during this period, allowing displaced Gazans to return to northern Gaza.
Israeli officials have expressed opposition to the demand for unlimited negotiation time but believe there has been significant improvement in conditions for reaching a deal in the coming weeks. An Israeli working-level delegation is expected to depart early next week to bridge remaining gaps in negotiations.
CIA Director Bill Burns is set to arrive in the region to participate in talks for the release of hostages.
* Kann News contributed to this article.
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