As the Gaza war approaches its fifth month, with more than 25,000 Palestinians (civilians and combatants) dead and Israel far from achieving its goal of destroying Hamas, no one seems to have put forward a concrete proposal that is acceptable to both sides to stop the conflict, much less end it. But there are suggestions, even if they are half-hearted, from both sides, which show a willingness to talk.
In fact, Qatar – the main intermediary – says there are “serious discussions” with Israel and Hamas, and is receiving “constant responses” from both sides. They are not “negotiations” yet, says the White House. But with indirect talks underway, it appears we are inching toward what Ofer Shelah, a senior researcher at Israel's Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), describes as a “Zopa,” a zone of potential agreement.
On Monday, Axios reported that Israel had proposed a two-month truce in exchange for the release of the more than 100 hostages still being held in Gaza. Later that day, CNN learned that Mossad chief David Barnea had suggested allowing Hamas leaders to go into exile as part of a broader ceasefire.
On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal said Hamas was now willing to release some of the hostages in exchange for a pause in the fighting. And Reuters reported that Israel and Hamas had agreed in principle to a one-month truce, during which those kidnapped would be freed and Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be released.
Read more on how Israel and Hamas might be inching toward an agreement to end the war.
