Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire-for-hostages deal in the Gaza conflict appear to be nearing conclusion, with US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu poised to bridge the remaining gaps this Thursday. A senior US official, briefing reporters on Wednesday, expressed optimism about the forthcoming discussions, indicating that the issues yet to be resolved are manageable and that additional meetings are planned over the next week to finalize the agreement.

The negotiations, which have seen several rounds of stop-and-start discussions, gained momentum following the tragic events of October 7, when Hamas-led fighters launched a deadly assault on southern Israel. This attack resulted in the death of 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 individuals, triggering a conflict that has since claimed over 38,000 lives in Gaza, according to reports. Currently, about 120 hostages remain in captivity, with Israeli authorities believing that a third of these individuals are deceased.

The senior US official detailed that the proposed deal under discussion would implement a six-week ceasefire, during which time there would be a staggered release of certain hostages—specifically women, elderly men, and those wounded—over a 42-day period. This structured approach marks a significant development from earlier negotiations, which were hampered by what were then considered insurmountable issues.