Doha: Hamas is reportedly reviewing new maps presented by mediators that outline Israel's military control in Gaza, as part of negotiations on a potential ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal. The Palestine resistance group has received updated maps from mediating countries showing areas across Gaza still under Israeli control, according to a source close to negotiation teams in Qatar.
According to TRTworld.com, the maps include most of Beit Hanoun in the north, half of Rafah, the neighborhoods of Huzaa and Abasan in southern Khan Younis, and a large portion of Gaza City's Shujaiyya district. The Yediot Ahronot newspaper, citing sources close to the talks, noted promising signals that an agreement could be reached within two weeks. However, the report highlighted Hamas's hesitancy regarding the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for each Israeli captive.
Mediators, particularly Qatar, have played a key role in narrowing the gaps between the parties. According to the Israeli public broadcaster, KAN, which cited unnamed government sources, Hamas has not yet issued a response to the latest proposal. An Israeli official reportedly stated, "We've shown flexibility, but Hamas isn't responding."
A representative from one of the Arab mediator nations, speaking anonymously to KAN, indicated that most disputes over the deployment of Israeli forces have been resolved, leaving only limited issues remaining. The diplomat described the atmosphere as one of cautious optimism and revealed that recent negotiations in Doha have focused heavily on the number and identity of Palestinian prisoners to be released in exchange for Israeli captives.
A meeting between US President Donald Trump and Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani was cited as a critical turning point for advancing the talks. Trump reportedly conveyed that Washington is satisfied with the progress made so far.
Trump previously announced that Israel had agreed to the conditions necessary for implementing a 60-day ceasefire. The proposal, drafted by Qatar and Egypt, was submitted to Hamas for review. Hamas responded positively, informing the mediators of its willingness to proceed and stating its readiness to negotiate the implementation of the ceasefire.
The Israeli government, however, initially rejected changes Hamas had made to Qatar's proposal, calling them unacceptable. Despite this, an Israeli delegation traveled to Doha to continue talks. Negotiations in Doha have reportedly resolved many key disagreements, but Israel's insistence on maintaining its occupation of the Morag Corridor, which separates Rafah and Khan Younis, as well as its continued presence in Rafah itself, remains a sticking point.
