Negotiations for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza are ongoing, though Israeli media report that Hamas remains unconvinced about a permanent truce.

CIA Director Bill Burns is set to meet Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani in Doha. This follows two days of talks between Hamas and Israeli delegations in the Qatari capital. Axios, citing an Israeli official, reported that Burns will discuss the status of the indirect negotiations with his Qatari counterpart.

Israeli state television KAN disclosed on December 16 that an Israeli delegation with “limited powers” traveled to Doha to negotiate a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. Hamas issued a statement confirming the potential for an agreement, provided Israel refrains from imposing new conditions. “In light of the serious and positive talks that took place in Doha under the auspices of our Qatari and Egyptian brothers, Hamas confirms that it is possible to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and prisoner exchange if the occupation stops imposing new conditions,” the statement read.

Additional negotiations are occurring in Cairo. Sources close to the talks told Reuters that an agreement might be signed in the coming days. Mohammed al-Hind, deputy head of Hamas’s ally Palestinian Islamic Jihad, also met with Egyptian officials as part of these discussions.

Adam Boehler, recently appointed as the U.S. special envoy for the hostages by President-elect Donald Trump, was in Cairo for discussions with Egyptian officials. Boehler met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday and is expected to travel to Doha today. The Biden administration is reportedly collaborating with Trump’s team to finalize a ceasefire before the presidential inauguration on January 20.

Despite progress, major hurdles remain. White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed cautious optimism in an interview with Fox News, noting, “We have come to this point before, but we have not reached a conclusion.” Israeli sources echoed these sentiments, citing significant unresolved issues. The Walla news website reported, based on three senior Israeli officials, that while progress has been made, major disagreements persist.

Hamas insists any agreement must include a commitment to ending the war and the occupation. Israel, on the other hand, proposes a short-term ceasefire of one to two months in exchange for the release of hostages. Additionally, Hamas has agreed not to participate in Gaza’s post-war administration under certain conditions, though it has not retreated from its primary demand: a permanent end to hostilities and occupation.

Both Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas appear closer than ever to reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, alongside a potential deal on prisoner swaps, according to mediators cited by the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar.

The report, published in a newspaper closely aligned with Hezbollah, signals growing momentum towards a truce. Over the past week, diplomatic efforts have intensified. U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited Israel, Egypt, and Qatar, while Israeli delegations also engaged with officials in Egypt, and Qatar.

A separate report in the Israeli press quoted an unnamed Israeli official suggesting that an agreement could be finalized by 25 December.

According to an Egyptian security source, a recent stalemate in the talks resulted from attempts to expand the scope of the agreement. The primary goals include securing the release of additional prisoners and ensuring a longer ceasefire. Disagreements reportedly persist between Israel and Egypt over the future management of the Rafah border crossing.

The proposed ceasefire is based on an Egyptian peace plan aimed at creating a “Gaza without Hamas”. Key aspects of the plan include an initial ceasefire of one to two months, a gradual release of hostages without military pressure, and a reopening under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority and Egypt.

Israel would retain veto power over individuals crossing into Egypt. Egypt would ensure that Hamas does not control the border or Gaza in the immediate future.

Reportedly, Hamas has agreed to the plan on the condition that Gaza’s administration is handed over to a committee of local Palestinians.

Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to securing the return of all Israeli prisoners held in Gaza. In a written statement, Netanyahu also addressed developments in Syria, Lebanon, and conflicts with Iran, and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu remarked, “The face of the Middle East has changed,” adding that Syria, Lebanon, Gaza, and Iran are fundamentally different compared to a year ago. While emphasizing ongoing challenges posed by Iran and its proxies, he noted that Israel would base its policy toward Syria on “realities on the ground.”

Netanyahu also highlighted a meeting with Donald Trump, newly elected as the 47th President of the United States, describing it as “very friendly, warm, and important.”

The United Nations (UN) Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has held a significant meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Muhammad al-Julani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group classified by the UN as a terrorist organization.

During the meeting, Mr. Pedersen emphasized the importance of establishing a credible justice system, stating, “We need to ensure that we do not see any acts of revenge.”

Sharaa, in response, advocated for revising UN Security Council (UNSC) Resolution 2254 to reflect the current realities in Syria. He underscored the necessity of rapid and effective cooperation to address the pressing needs of Syrians while stressing Syria’s territorial integrity, reconstruction, and economic development. Sharaa also called for a favorable environment to facilitate the safe return of refugees and urged for both economic and political support to ensure the success of these processes. He cautioned that such measures should be implemented cautiously, under the supervision of expert teams, and without undue haste.

Adopted in December 2015, UNSC Resolution 2254 outlines a roadmap for political transition in Syria. The resolution envisages the establishment of a transitional administration following negotiations between opposition and regime representatives. These negotiations are to conclude within six months, leading to a transitional government tasked with drafting a new constitution within 12 months and conducting free and fair elections thereafter.

A Qatari delegation visited Syria on Sunday and met with officials of the interim government. Qatar reaffirmed its “full commitment to support the Syrian people” and announced the reopening of its embassy in Damascus after a 13-year closure. Unlike other Arab states, Qatar has refrained from normalizing relations with the Assad regime.

Türkiye reopened its embassy in Damascus on Saturday, marking a notable shift in regional dynamics.

Despite recognizing HTS as a terrorist organization, both the UK and the U.S. have confirmed recent contacts with the group. Additionally, French Acting Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot revealed plans for a French diplomatic team to visit Damascus on Tuesday. The mission aims to recover French real estate, establish preliminary contacts with the new authorities, and assess the immediate humanitarian needs in Syria.

Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, announced a high-level EU diplomatic mission to Damascus. Foreign ministers will deliberate on the bloc’s evolving relationship with Syria’s new leadership.