Israeli team expresses ‘cautious optimism’ amid hostage talks

Israeli negotiators expressed “cautious optimism” regarding the talks in Doha, Qatar, to secure the release of 115 captives being held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The team updated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday regarding the discussion that took place over the previous two days, according to a statement by the Prime Minister’s Office.

“The team expressed to the prime minister cautious optimism regarding the possibility of progress on the deal, in accordance with the updated American proposal (based on the May 27 framework), including components acceptable to Israel,” said the PMO.

“It is hoped that the heavy pressure on Hamas by the United States and the mediators will remove its opposition to the American proposal and will lead to a breakthrough in the talks,” added the statement.

The statement was referring to a “bridging proposal” submitted by American mediators last week meant to close the gaps between the sides, based on the outline presented by President Joe Biden in a May speech that was previously accepted by Jerusalem.

There is a consensus among the mediating countries—the United States, Egypt and Qatar—that the diplomacy is “in the endgame,” a senior American official told reporters on Friday from Doha.

The official called the latest negotiation session “the most constructive in 48 hours we’ve had in many months,” echoing a joint statement that the three countries released earlier in the day.

The “intensive” negotiations were “serious and constructive and were conducted in a positive atmosphere,” Washington, Cairo and Doha said on Friday.

In the coming days, the parties will work on “details of implementation, including arrangements to implement the agreement’s extensive humanitarian provisions, as well as specifics relating to hostages and detainees,” the three countries added. (By “detainees,” the three appeared to refer to jailed Palestinian terrorists, including those with blood on their hands, that Israel would release in a deal.)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on Saturday that the American proposal does not call for an ongoing Israel Defense Forces presence along the Gaza-Egypt border or a mechanism to prevent the return of Hamas terrorists to northern Gaza, both of which have been demanded by Netanyahu.

The senior U.S. official noted on Friday that “there’s still more work to do,” adding, “This is a very difficult, complex deal. It is wrenching because this is about getting hostages out of Gaza. There are elements of the deal that are uncomfortable. Just like any deal like this, it is far from perfect.”

Another summit is reportedly scheduled for Cairo on Thursday, with U.S. officials saying the goal is to finalize a deal by the end of the week.

Saudi-owned pan-Arab news outlet Asharq Al-Awsat published details on Sunday of the American proposal submitted in Doha, citing a Hamas source. The details differ somewhat from what was reported in Hebrew media on Saturday.

According to the Hamas source, the American proposal includes a reduced IDF presence along the 8.7-mile Philadelphi Corridor separating Gaza from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula and not a full withdrawal.

The Palestinian Authority would manage the Rafah border crossing under “Israeli supervision.”

Israeli forces would be allowed to monitor the movement of displaced people from returning to their homes across the Netzarim Corridor to northern Gaza.

A large number of Palestinian security prisoners released in exchange for Israeli hostages would be deported abroad.

Jerusalem would be given the right to veto at least 100 names of Palestinian terrorists that Hamas demands be released.

Israeli forces would not be expected to withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

A “permanent” truce would be discussed in the second phase of the ceasefire. If Hamas did not agree to Israeli conditions, the IDF would restart military operations. Talks on the reconstruction of Gaza and the lifting of the blockade would take place in the second phase, which would be based on the outcome of the first phase.