Representatives of Hamas and the United States held direct talks in Doha, two officials from the Palestinian Islamist movement told AFP today, with one saying progress had been made towards achieving a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
"Direct talks were held in Doha between the Hamas and United States leadership regarding a ceasefire, prisoner exchanges (of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners) and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza," an unnamed Hamas official said.
Another Hamas official said that "progress has been made, especially regarding the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, the ongoing negotiations on the exchange of prisoners, especially regarding (Israeli-American hostage) Edan Alexander, as well as the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip."
Israel, which violated a two-month ceasefire, resumed its offensive in the Gaza Strip on March 18th with the aim of forcing Hamas to release hostages still held there from the attack that the Palestinian movement carried out on its soil on October 7th, 2023.
Negotiations to end the fighting, mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the US, have so far been unsuccessful.
"The next few hours are crucial," a Hamas official said.
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