US and Qatar are pressing Hamas and Israel on making a deal - source

• Published date: 07 May 2024
• Author: TOVAH LAZAROFF
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

"Essentially, the talks fell through, they were on life support, which is what prompted [CIA Director] Bill Burns to get on a plane and go to Qatar," the source said

"Both the Americans and the Qataris, in a display of shared responsibility, engaged in heavy pressure and diplomacy, striving to breathe life back into the framework of an agreement."

The American source further emphasized that the situation was at a very delicate and sensitive point in time, underscoring the mutual understanding of the situation.

"The Americans and the Qataris are keeping pressure on both sides to build the framework that has been agreed upon."

Israel-Hamas hostage agreement

At issue has been a three-phased agreement, mediated by Egypt and Qatar, by which Hamas would release the remaining 132 hostages, beginning with 33 of the captives over the first 42 days.

That element of the deal has been consistent and accepted by both parties.

Israel and Hamas have been at odds over the terror groups' demands that the agreement include an end to the war rather than a pause in the hostilities, a stance which has impacted the second and third phases of the agreement.

Hamas on Monday agreed to a new deal, which differed in some of its details from the one that...