Since July 6, indirect negotiations have been underway in Qatar between Hamas and Israel in a renewed attempt to reach a prisoner exchange agreement and a ceasefire.
Channel 13 (private) reported: "The negotiations in Doha regarding reaching a deal to return the kidnapped (Israeli prisoners) witnessed dramatic progress on Tuesday," without providing further details.
Tel Aviv estimates that there are 50 Israeli detainees in Gaza, 20 of whom are still alive. Meanwhile, more than 10,800 Palestinian prisoners are languishing in its prisons, suffering torture, starvation, and medical neglect, many of whom have died, according to Palestinian and Israeli human rights and media reports.
The channel quoted an unnamed Israeli official familiar with the negotiations in Doha as saying, "The path to a deal is now paved." The official claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu "approved additional flexibility regarding the Israeli military's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, which has allowed progress in the talks."
The channel reported that "significant progress has been achieved over the past 24 hours," without providing details. It added that this came "following a decision by Netanyahu and the security cabinet to show more flexibility and move closer to Hamas's position, particularly regarding the Israeli presence in the Gaza Strip."
The channel quoted other unnamed officials as saying, "The discussion is about a temporary (Israeli) withdrawal for only the first 60 days, with the intention of returning to fighting after the ceasefire ends." The channel added, "The officials confirmed that their impression from the dialogue with the prime minister (Netanyahu) is that he is very keen to complete the deal in the coming days, but he does not want to end the war."
Return of a delegation from Cairo
In the same context, an Israeli security delegation returned to Tel Aviv on Tuesday after visiting Cairo as part of negotiations to reach an agreement regarding the Gaza Strip, according to official Hebrew media.
The Broadcasting Authority said: "An Israeli security delegation returned today (Tuesday) from a two-day visit to Cairo, as part of the negotiations for a prisoner exchange deal and a ceasefire in Gaza."
Over the course of approximately 20 months, several rounds of indirect negotiations were held between Israel and Hamas to stop the war and exchange prisoners.
During this period, two partial agreements were reached, the first in November 2023, and the second in January 2025.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court, evaded completing the latest agreement and resumed the war of extermination in Gaza on March 18.
Hamas has repeatedly affirmed its willingness to release the Israeli captives "in one batch" in exchange for an end to the genocide and the withdrawal of the Israeli occupation forces from Gaza.
The Israeli opposition asserts that Netanyahu is seeking partial deals that would allow the war to continue, thus ensuring his continued rule by accommodating the most extreme right-wing faction in his government.
Since October 7, 2023, Israel, with American support, has been committing genocide in Gaza, including killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement, ignoring all international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to halt it.
The genocide left more than 197,000 Palestinians dead or wounded, most of them children and women, and more than 10,000 missing. Hundreds of thousands were displaced, and famine claimed the lives of many, including children.
