A senior Arab diplomat directly involved in the talks told NBC News that “very real” progress was being made. “We have made very good progress,” they said.
The official said President-elect Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, had played a key role in advancing talks over the weekend and that Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani had also been personally working “24/7” on the matter in recent weeks.
The progress made in recent days comes after repeated assurances from Washington since October 7, 2023, with the Biden administration making strong but ultimately unsuccessful efforts to secure a deal between Israel and Hamas, and both sides blaming each other for delays in progress.
It also follows a phone call Sunday between President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in which the president “emphasized the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and the return of hostages” and an “increase of humanitarian aid.”
“Israel is eager to free the hostages and is working hard to reach an agreement,” Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said in a statement on Monday after a meeting with his Danish counterpart, Lars Rasmussen. in Jerusalem.
“There is progress in the negotiations,” Sa’ar said. “I thank our American friends for their help.”
Hamas had yet to release any statement on any progress in the negotiations as of early Monday.
Israel launched its attack on Gaza after Hamas led the October 7, 2023 attacks, in which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 were taken hostage, according to Israel. The attacks marked a major escalation in a decades-long conflict.
More than 46,500 people have died in Gaza since Israel launched its offensive in the enclave, according to local health officials, although the death toll is believed to be higher than that figure.
