Qatar brokers peace deal between Israel and Hamas


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A breakthrough in negotiations to end the Gaza conflict emerged early Monday as Qatar presented Israel and Hamas with a final draft agreement, according to an official familiar with the talks. The proposal was developed during intense discussions in Doha involving Israel’s intelligence chiefs, Qatar’s prime minister, and incoming U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff.

The negotiations, which extended into the early hours of Monday, saw Witkoff urging the Israeli delegation while Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani engaged with Hamas representatives. Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad also participated in the Doha discussions.

While Israeli and Hamas officials haven’t explicitly confirmed receiving a final draft, both sides indicated positive developments. An Israeli senior official suggested a deal could be concluded within days pending Hamas’s response, while a Palestinian official described the information from Doha as “very promising,” noting that differences were being resolved.

The talks have gained urgency with Donald Trump’s upcoming inauguration on January 20th, widely perceived as an unofficial deadline. Trump has warned of severe consequences if hostages aren’t freed before he takes office, while President Biden continues to push for a resolution during his final days.

Witkoff’s diplomatic efforts have intensified recently, with multiple visits to Qatar and Israel since late November. After meetings in Doha on Friday, he traveled to Israel for discussions with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before returning to Qatar.

Biden’s recent phone conversation with Netanyahu emphasized the urgent need for a ceasefire and hostage release, coupled with increased humanitarian assistance during the pause in fighting, according to White House statements.

The conflict began after Hamas’s October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and over 250 hostages. The subsequent Israeli response has led to more than 46,000 Palestinian casualties, according to Palestinian health authorities, with Gaza facing widespread destruction and a humanitarian crisis.

While both parties have long agreed in principle to exchanging hostages for Palestinian detainees and halting hostilities, disagreements persist. Hamas demands a permanent end to the conflict and Israeli withdrawal, while Israel maintains its commitment to dismantling Hamas completely.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has voiced strong opposition to the latest proposals, calling them a “surrender” and a “catastrophe for the national security of the state of Israel.”