U.S.-Arab mediators made progress over the weekend in brokering a truce in the Israel/Hamas conflict and the release scores of hostages in the Gaza Strip. However, a deal still hasn’t yet been reached, according to officials.

Three officials said that there had been progress and that the next few days were crucial for ending the 15-month conflict that has destabilized Middle East. The officials spoke under condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak about the talks.

Hamas and one of the officials said there are still many hurdles to overcome. In the last year, U.S. government officials have repeatedly said they were close to a deal only for the talks to stall.

A person who is familiar with the negotiations said that there had been an overnight breakthrough and a deal was on the table. The person who spoke to us said that the Israeli and Hamas negotiators would now present their proposal back to their respective leaders for approval.

1776 Coalition Sponsored The 6th Commandment The Center for Restoring Values believes there is a solution to this paradigm – the veneration of this CEO murderer—by restoring the Biblical foundation back into the lives of our children. We have failed to teach the timeless truths of responsibility, forgiveness, and hope. Instead, we’ve allowed others to promote moral relativism. Will you help us save the next generation before it’s too late?

Steve Witkoff was the envoy of Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, to the Israelis. He said mediators from Qatar, a Gulf state, had renewed pressure on Hamas, forcing it to accept the deal. Witkoff, who recently joined the talks and was in the area in recent days, has been a part of the process.

The person stated that the mediators have handed the draft agreement to each party and that the next 24-hours would be crucial.

Unofficially, an Egyptian official stated that good progress had been made overnight. However, it was likely to take several more days and the parties were hoping for a deal by Trump’s Jan. 20 inauguration. Third official stated that the talks are in a good state, but have not been concluded. This official said that a deal could be reached before the inauguration.

When asked about the talks during a press briefing, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar replied, “progress has already been made and I hope we will soon see things happen.” It is yet to be proven.”

Hamas’ official stated that a number issues remain unresolved, including the Israeli commitment to end the war, details on the withdrawal of Israeli soldiers and the exchange of hostages and prisoners. The official was not authorized to brief the media and spoke anonymously.

The Egyptian official confirmed these issues are still being discussed.

Negotiations have been stalled for months.

The Biden administration has been working with Egypt and Qatar for more than a full year to try to broker an end to the bloodiest war between Israelis, Palestinians, and the world. They have also worked to secure the release scores of hostages who were captured by Hamas in the attack on southern Israel that took place on October 7, 2023. This attack was the catalyst of the conflict.

Both sides are divided on the specifics of the exchange of Palestinian prisoners for Israeli hostages, and the nature of the ceasefire. Hamas said it would not release any remaining hostages without an end to war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on the other hand, has pledged to continue his campaign against the militant group until a “total defeat” is achieved.

A phased ceasefire is currently being discussed. Netanyahu has said repeatedly that he will only commit to the first phase of a ceasefire, which is a partial release of hostages in exchange for an eight-week pause in combat. Negotiations would begin after the first phase. Hamas wants a complete withdrawal from the war and hopes that this first phase leads to it.

A deal may weaken Netanyahu’s government, as it includes two extreme right-wing factions who have threatened to quit the government if Israel made too many concessions. The opposition has promised to support Netanyahu in his efforts to release hostages, but their anger may lead to instability.

Netanyahu hopes that the prospect of an administration led by Donald Trump, which includes settlers from the West Bank, will convince his partners to stay in the government.

On Sunday, U.S. president Joe Biden spoke to Netanyahu about the talks. He hopes to conclude a deal by his departure next week.

Both David Barnea and Brett McGurk, Biden’s top Middle East advisor, were in Doha, the Qatari capital. Barnea’s participation means that high-level Israeli officials, who will need to approve any agreement, are again present in the Doha talks.

Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security advisor, said on CNN’s “State of the Union” that McGurk is working to finalize details of a document to be presented to the two sides. However, he did not say whether a deal could be reached by January 20.

He said, “We are very close.” “Yet, being very close does not mean we are there, because we have to cross the finish line.”

Families of hostages and Palestinians hope for an agreement

Only one short ceasefire was achieved in the early weeks of the fighting. U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken stated last week that an agreement is “very near” and he hopes to finish it before handing diplomacy over to the new Trump administration.

According to the Health Ministry of Gaza, Israel’s Gaza campaign has killed over 46,000 Palestinians. The majority were women and children. However, this number does not differentiate between civilians and fighters. In the initial attack, Hamas militants abducted and killed around 250 people.

Families of about 100 hostages who are still in Gaza press Netanyahu to make a deal that will bring them home. Israelis rallied in Tel Aviv again on Saturday night, displaying photos of hostages.

In Gaza, Palestinians are tempering their hope for an end to Israel’s offensive, which has destroyed much of the region and forced around 90% of its population of 2.3 million from their homes.

Mazen Hammad is a resident from Khan Younis, in the south of Egypt. “We hear about negotiations every day but we don’t see anything,” he said. “When we see the truce on the ground, we will believe it.”