‘We have never been so close to agreement’ on hostages in Gaza, says Israeli minister

Later, a source told AFP that an Israeli technical team arrived this Monday in Doha, Qatar, “to discuss the ceasefire and an agreement on the hostages in Gaza.”

The source, who requested anonymity, added that the talks took place “between Israeli and Qatari work teams.”

She also stated that Hamas has informed Egyptian and Qatari mediators that it is ready to cease the war.

“But Hamas is concerned, at the same time, because it will not accept anything other than an agreement that leads to a complete and permanent ceasefire, a total withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, including the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, the return of displaced people and a serious exchange of prisoners”, he highlighted.

The war began with the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023 against southern Israel, which caused the death of 1,208 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP report based on official data.

During the attack, Hamas members also kidnapped 251 people, 96 of whom remain in Gaza, including 34 who the military says died.