Israel and Hamas are reportedly set to resume negotiations in Qatar to discuss the latest cease-fire proposal from Hamas as early as Sunday, according to the Associated Press and Reuters—though Egyptian officials told The Associated Press that it was possible the talks could get pushed to Monday.
The talks will reportedly include the director of Israel’s intelligence unit Mossad, David Barnea, as well as Qatar’s prime minister and Egyptian moderators.
In its latest proposal, Hamas reportedly offered to release Israeli hostages in exchange for freedom for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, and suggests setting a date for a permanent cease-fire and eventual Israeli withdrawal from Gaza after the exchange of prisoners, according to Reuters, which saw the proposal.
Hamas official Basem Naim told CNN that the proposal still calls for a withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.
But Israel, which has thus far rejected any calls for a permanent cease-fire, dismissed the proposal, saying Hamas had “unrealistic demands”—Israel has thus far refused to agree to any permanent cease-fire.
