WASHINGTON: The United States’ envoy for Middle East negotiations has expressed optimism about reaching a Gaza ceasefire deal within weeks, after holding unprecedented talks with Hamas.
Speaking to CNN, Adam Boehler described the direct talks as “very helpful” and said that an agreement could lead to the release of all hostages, not just American captives.
Boehler acknowledged it had been “odd” sitting face-to-face with leaders of a group that the United States has listed as a “terrorist” organization since 1997, but did not rule out further meetings with the Palestinian group.
Boehler said he understood Israel’s “consternation” that the US had held talks at all with the group, but said he had been seeking to jump-start the “fragile” negotiations.
“In the end, I think it was a very helpful meeting,” he said, 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.”
Boehler suggested there was a chance of further talks with Hamas, telling CNN: “You never know. You know sometimes you’re in the area and you drop by.”
Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, taking 251 hostages including a number of Americans. An estimated 58 hostages remain in Gaza.
48,458 Palestinians killed in Gaza
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has launched a relentless bombardment campaign in Gaza, killing at least 48,458 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and displacing all of the territory’s population at least once. The UN considers these figures reliable.
The first phase of a truce revolving around the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners ended earlier this month, and both sides are disputing when to move into the second phase, which aims at a more permanent peace.
Last week, US President Donald Trump threatened further destruction of Gaza if all remaining hostages were not released, issuing what he called a “last warning” to Hamas leaders.
“I understand the consternation and the concern” on Israel’s part at the talks, Boehler said, adding: “We’re the United States. We’re not an agent of Israel.”
He described his feelings on sitting across from the Palestinian group.
“I think when you walk and you sit in front of somebody, and you know what they’ve done, it’s hard not to think of it,” he said.
Israel, Hamas ready for truce talks
Israel and Hamas on Sunday expressed readiness to engage in a fresh round of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States work to extend the fragile truce that began in January.
A senior Hamas official stated on Sunday that there were “positive indicators” for the next phase of negotiations but did not provide further details.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that Israel has accepted an invitation from mediators and will send a delegation to Doha on Monday to discuss the terms of the ceasefire’s second phase.
Hamas representatives met with Egyptian mediators in Cairo over the weekend, calling for an immediate start to negotiations under previously agreed parameters.
Mahmoud Mardawi, a senior Hamas leader, stated that the second phase should lead to a permanent end to the war, stressing the need for humanitarian aid to re-enter the enclave “without restrictions or conditions”.
For the next phase of the ceasefire talks, the Palestinian group demanded a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza and an end to the Israeli blockade.
Hamas is also demanding the reconstruction of Gaza as the majority of the territory has been reduced to rubble during the more than 15 months of Israeli bombardments. The Palestinian group is also seeking financial support for Gaza residents.
Following talks with mediators, Hamas spokesperson Abdel-Latif Al-Qanoua described the indicators for the next phase as “positive”.
Israel seeks to extend first-phase truce
While Israel has agreed to attend the new round of talks, Israeli media reported that the government’s security cabinet was set to meet on Sunday to discuss its stance.
Israeli officials reportedly favour extending the first-phase truce until mid-April, rather than immediately transitioning into final negotiations for a permanent ceasefire.
Under the existing truce, which started on 19 January, Hamas has released 33 Israeli hostages and five Thai nationals in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The Israeli government estimates that of the 59 hostages still held by Hamas, fewer than half are believed to be alive.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Israel continued violence in Gaza. On Saturday, an Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in Rafah, southern Gaza.
According to the Israeli military, the strike targeted “several suspects” attempting to retrieve a drone that had crossed from Israel into Gaza in what was suspected to be a botched smuggling attempt.
A separate Israeli drone strike on Friday also killed two individuals.
Gaza reconstruction proposals
The governance of Gaza post-conflict remains a key issue. In Cairo, Hamas reportedly approved the formation of a committee of national and independent figures to oversee the administration of Gaza until elections are held.
This aligns with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s earlier proposal at an Arab summit, where he suggested a Palestinian technocratic committee to govern Gaza as part of a reconstruction plan.
The Egyptian plan stands in contrast to US President Donald Trump’s widely criticised “Middle East Riviera” vision, which reportedly includes proposals for Palestinian displacement.
