The United States held talks with Hamas, a designated terror organisation by the States, where the two discussed the release of hostages held in Gaza.
The US envoy, led by Adam Boehler, expressed confidence in the talks and said that the truce deal might be reached “within weeks”.
“In the end, I think it was a very helpful meeting,” he told CNN, adding, “I think something could come together within weeks… I think there is a deal where they can get all of the prisoners out, not just the Americans.”
Talking about the same, Taher Al-Nono, political adviser to the Palestinian group’s leader said that it did not “oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks.”
“Several meetings have already taken place in Doha, focusing on releasing one of the dual-nationality prisoners. We have dealt positively and flexibly, in a way that serves the interests of the Palestinian people,” Nono told Reuters.
“We informed the American delegation that we don’t oppose the release of the prisoner within the framework of these talks,” he added.
Meanwhile, Israel announced it is cutting off electricity to Gaza, further intensifying pressure on Hamas after already halting all goods supplies to the territory’s over two million residents last week. The full impact of the power cut remains unclear, but it could disrupt desalination plants that provide drinking water.
These measures come as Israel seeks to push Hamas into agreeing to extend the initial phase of the ceasefire, which ended last weekend.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched an attack on Israel, taking 251 hostages, including several Americans. An estimated 58 hostages remain in Gaza. In response, Israel initiated a military invasion, leading to over 15 months of conflict that has displaced much of the population.
A temporary truce, which facilitated the release of some hostages, ended earlier this month. However, both sides remain at odds over when and how to proceed with the second phase, which aims at establishing a more lasting peace.