Hamas considers hostage deal without permanent ceasefire

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made the destruction of Hamas and the return of all hostages the central goal of Israel’s military campaign launched after the October 7 attacks.

US President Joe Biden presented on May 31 a plan proposed by Israel promising “a road map towards a lasting ceasefire and the release of all hostages.”

An Israeli negotiator flew to Doha on Friday to hold talks with the mediators. Israel said there were still “gaps” in Hamas’ counter-proposals, but the negotiator would return to Doha this week.

An official familiar with the mediation said that the director of the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), William Burns, would travel to Qatar this week.

The Hamas official said Egypt and Turkey would also step up their efforts in the coming days to reach an agreement.

If full negotiations begin, Hamas expects them to take two to three weeks, the official said.