Gaza ceasefire in sight as expectations grow over deal

Hamas says an agreement will only be signed if Israel stops setting new conditions during 'serious and positive' talks

- BEL TREW, ALEX CROFT

A deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that would also see Israeli hostages freed is believed to be close, with Israel and Hamas having expressed optimism that an agreement can be reached after months of deadlock.

The Independent understands that the truce would be an initial 60 days, without a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. Hamas has consistently called for all Israeli troops to leave Gaza. Israeli forces would likely pull out of city centres in Gaza and the coastal road. It would come after extended intense negotiations to try to end the 14-month war.

Sources briefed on meetings related to the ceasefire, speaking to Reuters, claimed Mr Netanyahu was travelling to Cairo and that a truce deal is expected to be signed in the coming days. Mr Netanyahu had been excused yesterday from giving previously scheduled testimony at his corruption trial.

However, a statement from Mr Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli prime minister had a meeting yesterday with senior military and security officials on Mount Hermon, a strategic plateau just inside Syria, while his spokesperson denied he was travelling to the Egyptian capital.

Two Egyptian security sources told Reuters that Mr Netanyahu was not in Cairo “at this moment” but that a meeting was underway to work through the remaining points, chief among them a Hamas demand for guarantees that any immediate deal would lead to a comprehensive agreement later. The Egyptian sources said they were making progress and felt that talks last night could be decisive in setting the next steps.