Gaza deal weeks away, big gaps remain, Israeli sources say, despite reports of breakthrough

As various reports, mainly in Arabic media outlets and citing Palestinian sources, tout breakthroughs in the negotiations for an Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage deal to end the war in Gaza after more than 14 months, Israeli sources cited by Hebrew media are far more skeptical, saying a deal is weeks away and still faces major hurdles.

The Walla news site, citing three unnamed senior Israeli sources familiar with the talks, says that while progress has been made in recent weeks, there are still big gaps between the sides, chiefly regarding Hamas’s insistence that any hostage deal lead to the end of the war.

“A deal isn’t around the corner,” one source is quoted as saying.

Another criticizes optimistic remarks made by senior officials such as Defense Minister Israel Katz: “It doesn’t help the negotiations and also misleads the public and gives false hope.”

Similarly, Channel 12 news quotes unnamed senior Israeli sources as saying that, while Hamas is showing a will to reach a deal, there are still considerable disagreements on core issues that will take time to overcome.

Additionally, a Palestinian source cited by the Kan public broadcaster says the reports of an imminent deal are “exaggerated and overly optimistic.”

The Times of Israel reported yesterday that US President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has been working together with outgoing President Joe Biden’s administration in the past weeks to try to secure a hostage release and ceasefire deal before Trump enters office. The initiative has made progress in recent days, though major obstacles remain, three US, Israeli, and Arab officials have told The Times of Israel.