As Gaza ceasefire negotiation appears to advance, Netanyahu tells hostage families ‘there are reasons for optimism’

The Qatari newspaper al-Arabi al-Jadeed (The New Arab) reported on Monday morning that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage release deal had reached an "advanced stage," including “exchanging the names of prisoners through mediators.” 

According to the report, which quoted a source familiar with the details, Hamas gave Egyptian mediators a preliminary list while the Israeli delegation discussed the names and parts of the proposals. 

The source told The New Arab that "the parties are unprecedentedly serious to reach an agreement” and that Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the United States are supervisory partners in the negotiations. 

According to the report, a Hamas delegation headed by Khalil al-Haya visited Cairo on Sunday, providing a list of the names of several Israeli prisoners – primarily the sick and the elderly – to senior Egyptian intelligence officials. The Hamas delegation also provided a list of names of Palestinian prisoners whom they wish to be included in the deal. 

An Israeli delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo "within hours” on Monday to discuss some of the clauses related to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Discussions will include terms for a prisoner exchange deal and the specific areas from which the Israeli army will withdraw during the transitional period. This phase is intended to lead to a permanent ceasefire agreement and possibly an end to the war. 

The New Arab also reported that the deal between Israel and the Hamas terrorist organization is expected to include the release of four American hostages, even though they do not meet the conditions established for the first stage. This is likely an attempt to appease the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump.

An Egyptian source familiar with the negotiations told The New Arab that there is optimism for reaching a deal before the January 20 inauguration of President Trump.

The Qatari news site said that Hamas agreed to an interim period of 60 days, during which increased humanitarian supplies, including food and fuel, would be delivered to the Gaza Strip.

According to a report on the Arab news site Asharq al-Awsat, sources in a number of Palestinian factions holding the abductees reported that Hamas had asked them to "prepare the files of the Israeli abductees" in their possession and to indicate their condition. 

Israeli public broadcaster Kan 11 said Israeli negotiators described the current proposal as a “small deal” but will work to increase the number of hostages to be released over the 60-day period. 

Kan cited Israeli and foreign sources familiar with the negotiations stating, "Hamas is closer than ever to a deal, and is interested in a ceasefire, even if temporary." 

According to the same sources, Hamas feels isolated after the ceasefire agreement in Lebanon and the extensive damage to the Hezbollah terrorist organization, while it is also under increased pressure from mediators, especially following Trump’s recent ultimatum. 

Meanwhile, representatives from the families of hostages met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday for the first time in months. According to reports in local media, Netanyahu said that "there are reasons for optimism.”

He reportedly promised, "There will be no coalition considerations on the issue of the return of the abductees,” referring to opposition to a hostage deal from government ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. 

However, shortly after the reports broke in Qatari media, the Hostage and Missing Families Forum released a statement to family members denying reports of progress in the negotiations. 

“In recent hours, various reports have been published in the Arab media about the negotiations for the return of the hostages,” the statement said. “These reports, which are also reported in Israel, are not true.”

“We continue to work continuously and in various ways to return the abductees, and we are very careful about information security in all regards,” the Forum continued.

“We suggest continuing to rely on the information coming out of the authoritative sources. You can contact the Coordinator of the Prime Minister's Office with any questions. We are at your disposal for any need.”