US, Egypt and Qatar call on Israel and Hamas to finalize deal ‘without further delay’

The US, Egypt and Qatar are releasing a joint statement in which they say a deal to halt fighting in Gaza and free hostages is all but completed and should be finalized without delay.

“It is time to bring immediate relief both to the long-suffering people of Gaza as well as the long-suffering hostages and their families. The time has come to conclude the ceasefire and hostages and detainees release deal,” says the statement published by Qatari state media.

According to the statement, after working “tirelessly” for months, the mediators are ready to present Israel and Hamas with a final proposal, with only the details for implementing the agreement yet to be worked out.

“As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties,” says the statement, which is signed by US President Joe Biden, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi and Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

They call on Israel and Hamas to restart talks in Cairo or Doha on Thursday in one week to seal the final details and begin implementing the deal “without further delay.”

There is no comment from Israel or Hamas.

According to what details are known, the sides are heading toward agreeing to a three-phase agreement that would begin with the release of some civilian hostages and the partial withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza.