US negotiator hints at possible Gaza ceasefire deal within weeks

A new ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, under which Israel would recover all hostages held by the militant group, could be possible in a matter of weeks, according to a US negotiator.

This follows rare direct talks between the US and Hamas, which were aimed at ending the ongoing conflict, Caliber.Az reports, referencing foreign media.

The six-week truce mediated by Qatar and Egypt expired on March 2, bringing both sides to the brink of resuming a 17-month-old war that has destabilised the region. Efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire have been complicated by Israel’s demand, supported by the US, for an end to Hamas’ control and military capabilities in Gaza.

“I think something could come together within weeks,” Adam Boehler, the US envoy for hostages, said on CNN’s State of the Union on March 9. “I will say that I believe there is enough there to make a deal between what Hamas wants and what they’ve accepted and what Israel wants and it’s accepted.” Boehler added that such a deal could pave the way for the repatriation of all 59 remaining hostages held in Gaza, "not just the Americans," referencing a few US dual nationals.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that envoys would be sent to Doha on March 10 to discuss potential new negotiations. However, Netanyahu's spokesperson, Omer Dostri, stated on Sunday that no progress had been made at this point.

While Hamas has signalled a willingness to relinquish some control, it has made it clear that it will not give up its rockets and rifles.

The White House acknowledged last week that Boehler had held direct talks with Hamas, which remains on the US and other Western powers’ terrorism blacklists.

“I actually think they were very productive talks,” Boehler said on Fox News. “They identified some opportunity to come together.” He also noted that Israel had raised some concerns about the US-Hamas discussions but dismissed them, asserting, “There’s no question in my mind that our greatest ally is Israel.”

On March 9, Israeli Energy Minister Eli Cohen ordered an immediate halt to the supply of electricity to Gaza, in an effort to pressure Hamas into releasing the hostages.

Regarding the case of American Austin Tice, who has been missing in Syria since 2012, Boehler revealed that he would soon be travelling to Syria. “Austin is on my list, and I’m going to go to Syria,” he confirmed.

By Aghakazim Guliyev