Israel and Hamas are engaged in renewed talks in Qatar as of Tuesday, with progress reportedly being made towards a cease-fire in Gaza and the potential release of hostages, according to sources in contact with Hamas leaders.
The discussions, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, indicate a shift after several months of stalled negotiations.
Should a deal be finalized, it would offer some relief to Palestinians in Gaza, who have faced severe conditions in displacement camps amid ongoing hostilities, and to the families of hostages taken from Israel, who have been concerned for the past year about their loved ones' fates.
The talks are expected to focus on outstanding issues, according to a diplomat, while a Palestinian source noted that the discussions will revolve around the implementation details of any agreement.
Both individuals requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the diplomatic negotiations.
Previous negotiations have generated optimism that ultimately led to disappointment, as both parties have consistently attributed blame for the lack of progress to each other.
The framework for the emerging agreement is reportedly based on earlier proposals discussed in May and July.