US negotiators have reported progress in talks with representatives from Israel and the Hamas faction as efforts continue to halt the violence in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. The information, attributed to Associated Press sources, points to unnamed senior officials familiar with the discussions.
Those close to the talks describe a two-stage framework for any potential accord. The first stage would see Israeli forces pause their military operations in exchange for the return of civilians and detainees held by Hamas, focusing on vulnerable groups such as women, the elderly, and wounded prisoners.
In the second stage, the parties would work through remaining details during an initial 30-day period, with the objective of agreeing on the release of Israeli soldiers and additional prisoners held by Hamas. The reporting notes that reaching an agreement would not by itself end the broader conflict, but officials hope it could create a pathway toward a lasting resolution.
The broader crisis in the region intensified on October 7 when thousands of Hamas supporters crossed into Israel from Gaza, prompting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare that the country was at war. The stated aim of Israel’s military response has been to repel the attack, secure the release of more than 200 hostages, including foreign nationals, and diminish Hamas’ capabilities. As part of the operation, Israel launched substantial rocket attacks on Gaza from day one, while the National Security Council decided to curtail the flow of essential supplies such as water, food, electricity, and fuel into the territory.
By November 22, a humanitarian pause was reached between Israel and Hamas, with a commitment to release some hostages. The ceasefire formally took effect on November 24 and lasted until the morning of December 1. During the pause, Hamas released a total of 110 hostages. Earlier, Prime Minister Netanyahu had addressed ongoing efforts to secure the release of captives in Gaza.