Israel-Gaza cease fire negotiations continue amid further strikes

A ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants is being discussed by American, Egyptian and Qatari negotiators, while Gaza and West Bank bombings continue.

Israel and Hamas appeared to be on the verge of agreeing to a ceasefire deal Wednesday that could end 15 months of devastating fighting in the Gaza Strip, even as the Israel military continued to launch airstrikes in the enclave and families of Israeli hostages begged for their safe return.

American, Egyptian and Qatari delegations have been working to secure a truce to end fighting, with officials familiar with the talks taking place in the Qatari capital of Doha saying that an agreement that would see the gradual release of dozens of hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners was on the verge of completion.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that Hamas had not yet responded to the draft agreement, after reports of a breakthrough in Israeli media.

Earlier Wednesday a senior Arab official familiar with negotiations told NBC News that three key points were still being negotiated: the map dictating where exactly Israeli forces will withdraw to, particularly along the Netzarim Corridor that currently splits the Gaza Strip in two; the extent of its withdrawal from the strategic Philadelphi Corridor that flanks Gaza's southern border with Egypt; and the names of Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged for Hamas' Oct. 7 captives, as well as the method and location of their release.

Netanyahu's spokesman, David Mencer, told NBC News on Wednesday that the deal was "awaiting Hamas agreement.”

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-gaza-cease-fire-negotiations-continue-strikes-rcna187743

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