No final answer from Hamas regarding hostage deal, official tells 'Post'

According to the report, an Israeli official noted that while progress had been made, the final details were still under discussion.

 Hamas terrorist in front of Gaza hostage posters. (Illustrative) (photo credit: Hamas Military Wing/Handout via REUTERS, MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)
Hamas terrorist in front of Gaza hostage posters. (Illustrative)
(photo credit: Hamas Military Wing/Handout via REUTERS, MIRIAM ALSTER/FLASH90)

No final answer was given from Hamas regarding a hostage deal, an Israeli official told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday. 

Earlier, the Associated Press reported, citing two officials involved in the negotiations, that Hamas has agreed to the proposed ceasefire deal in Gaza and the release of numerous hostages.

According to the report, an Israeli official noted that while progress had been made, the final details were still under discussion.

The Associated Press obtained a copy of the draft agreement, which was authenticated by both an Egyptian and a Hamas official. 

All three officials spoke anonymously due to the sensitive nature of the closed-door negotiations.

Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, described the current situation as the “closest” the parties have come to an agreement.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen with a placard calling for a hostage deal (illustrative) (credit: Canva, FLASH90, SHUTTERSTOCK)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seen with a placard calling for a hostage deal (illustrative) (credit: Canva, FLASH90, SHUTTERSTOCK)

The closest point

"We have handed over drafts of the ceasefire agreement to both sides, and talks are now ongoing on the final detail," the Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced on Tuesday.

"We have overcome the major differences. This is the closest point we have been to a deal over the past months," the statement added.

Jerusalem Post Staff and Reuters contributed to this report. This is a developing story.