The United States, Qatar and Egypt have issued a joint statement saying the mediators have put forward a “bridging proposal” that would allow the “swift” implementation of a deal that would end the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli captives.
The three countries said on Friday that ceasefire negotiations in Doha were “serious and constructive”.
The current round of talks started on Thursday amid growing fears of a regional war after Israel killed a top Hezbollah commander in Beirut and Hamas’s political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran.
Friday’s statement echoed previous remarks by the mediators rejecting any delays in implementing an agreement to reach a ceasefire and release the captives.
“The path is now set for that outcome, saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalation of regional tensions,” the three countries said on Friday.
Joint Statement from the United States, Egypt, and Qatar#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/A7myXPKsh3
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) August 16, 2024
The announcement did not provide details about the latest proposal, but it said it builds on a deal presented by US President Joe Biden in May.
The US-backed plan would see a multiphased effort to end the war, starting with a six-week pause in fighting that would enable the release of some Israeli captives held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
In the second phase, there would be a permanent end to the fighting and the release of all remaining Israeli captives. The final part of the agreement would include the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by the Israeli war.
“Working teams will continue technical work over the coming days on the details of implementation, including arrangements to implement the agreements, extensive humanitarian provisions, as well as specifics relating to hostages and detainees,” the mediators’ joint statement said.
On Friday, Biden expressed optimism about the prospect of reaching a deal. “We may have something, but we’re not there yet – much, much closer than it was three days ago,” he told reporters.
The White House said later that Biden held separate phone calls with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to “review the significant progress” in the ceasefire talks.
The US State Department also said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will travel to Israel on Saturday to “continue intensive diplomatic efforts to conclude the agreement”.
“Secretary Blinken will underscore the critical need for all parties in the region to avoid escalation or any other actions that could undermine the ability to finalize an agreement,” the department said.
Hamas has said it would only agree to a deal that would lead to a permanent ceasefire, the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and a “serious” prisoner exchange.
Husam Badran, a member of the Hamas political bureau, reiterated the group’s position on Friday, saying that it is becoming clear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scuttling the talks.
Asked about the optimism voiced by the US, Badran said Hamas does not see the US as a mediator but as an enabler and sponsor of the Israeli war on Gaza.
“In practice, the US gives the cover and green light for the occupation and Netanyahu to continue this war while suggesting that there is a positive atmosphere. In reality, Netanyahu does not care about the atmosphere that the Americans are talking about,” he told Al Jazeera Mubasher.
For its part, Israel has not articulated a clear vision for ending the war. While some Israeli officials have said they back the proposed ceasefire, Netanyahu has repeatedly stressed that the war will go on until his country achieves “total victory”.
According to Israeli media reports, Netanyahu has been facing pressure from his own security chiefs to accept the deal and stop issuing new demands that could derail the talks.
But on Friday, the Israeli prime minister’s office suggested that Hamas is the party obstructing efforts to reach an agreement.
“Israel appreciates the efforts of the United States and the mediators to dissuade Hamas from its refusal to agree to a deal for the release of the hostages,” it said in a statement.
White House spokesperson John Kirby said on Thursday that the talks in Doha had a “promising” start. “This is vital work. The remaining obstacles can be overcome, and we must bring this process to a close,” he told reporters.
The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said on Thursday that the mediators “are resolute in their commitment to move forward in their endeavours to reach a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip”.
Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Alan Fisher noted that implementation mechanisms still need to be put in place. “So, that means there is no deal until there is a deal,” he said.
