3-day ceasefire in Israel-Hamas war 'nearly reached'
Israel and Hamas are on the verge of reaching a three-day ceasefire agreement, the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday. | Egyptian sources meanwhile said that Cairo is about to achieve a humanitarian truce in Gaza involving the exchange of hostages and captives. A source close to Hamas meanwhile said that negotiations are underway for the release of a dozen hostages held by Hamas, including six Americans, in return for a three-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
■ "Talks revolve around the release of 12 hostages, half of them Americans, in exchange for a three-day humanitarian pause, to enable Hamas to release the hostages and to enable Egypt an extended (period of time) to deliver humanitarian aid," the source said. "There's disagreement around the time period and around the north (of the Gaza Strip), which is witnessing extensive combat operations," the source said. "Qatar is awaiting an Israeli response," they added.
■ Earlier Wednesday, a separate source briefed on the talks said Qatar was mediating negotiations in coordination with the U.S. to free "10-15 hostages in exchange for a one- to two-day ceasefire." Qatar has been engaged in intense diplomacy to secure the release of those held by Hamas, negotiating the handover of four hostages -- two Israelis and two Americans -- in recent weeks.