Hamas concedes on Israeli troops in Gaza, raising hopes for deal to release hostages

Hamas has yielded to two of Israel's key demands for a cease-fire deal in Gaza, Arab mediators said, raising hopes of an agreement that could release some hostages within days despite the repeated collapse of previous negotiations.

- Summer Said

The militant group told mediators for the first time that it would agree to a deal that would allow Israeli forces to remain in Gaza temporarily when the fighting stops. Hamas also handed over a list of hostages, including U.S. citizens, whom it would release under a cease-fire pact, something it hasn't done since the first truce in the conflict last year.

The new plan, proposed by Cairo and backed by the U.S., seeks to build on momentum generated by the cease-fire in Lebanon secured in November, which has broadly held despite both Israel and Hezbollah accusing each other of violations.

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declined to comment.

Netanyahu said Monday there were certain developments in the cease-fire talks but it was too early to tell whether a deal was within reach.

Progress toward a deal comes after an Egyptian delegation visited Israel in late November, and after President-elect Donald Trump said on Truth Social earlier this month that there would be "hell to pay" in the Middle East if the hostages aren't released before he assumes office in January.

As part of the latest proposal, Israel and Hamas are considering a 60-day cease-fire period that would see the release of up to 30 hostages being held in Gaza, including U.S. citizens, according to the mediators. In exchange, Israel would set free Palestinian prisoners and allow greater humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza, they said.

Negotiations picked up pace this week with an Israeli delegation visiting Cairo on Tuesday, days after Hamas officials were in the Egyptian capital.

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan is expected to travel to Israel, Egypt and Qatar this week to push for a deal, the mediators said.