Chicago – January 13, 2024
The United States believes a ceasefire in Gaza could be agreed upon early this week. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan announced on Monday that while progress has been made, a deal is not guaranteed. He also mentioned that the outgoing US president plans to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi soon.
“We’re close to reaching an agreement. It could happen this week, but it’s not certain yet. We’re working hard to make it possible,” Sullivan said.
The ceasefire discussions, led by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, have entered advanced stages in Doha. High-ranking Israeli officials, including Mossad and Shin Bet chiefs, are continuing negotiations, while Hamas has acknowledged progress on key issues. These talks come after 15 months of war, which has resulted in over 46,500 deaths in Gaza.
Officials revealed that a final draft of the ceasefire agreement has been shared with all parties. This proposal includes a prisoner exchange: captives held in Gaza would be released in return for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The recent breakthroughs in Doha are fueling hopes for ending the violence.
