What Is the Status of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire and Hostage Talks?

Israel and Hamas are moving closer to an agreement to declare a cease-fire in Gaza and release hostages held there after over 15 months of war, the Qatari government said on Tuesday.

If a deal is achieved, it would bring some respite to Palestinians in Gaza, who have endured miserable conditions in displacement camps and relentless bombardments by Israel, and to the families of hostages taken from Israel in the Hamas-led attack on Oct. 7, 2023.

For months, repeated rounds of talks have seen hopes rise only to be dashed days later, with Israel and Hamas each blaming the other for the impasse. In recent weeks, negotiations have been spurred forward by a looming deadline: the end of President Joe Biden’s term and President-elect Donald J. Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20.

How close is a deal?

On Monday, President Biden suggested an agreement between Israel and Hamas was imminent, saying the parties were “on the brink” of reaching a deal.

President-elect Donald Trump said during an interview with Newsmax on Monday: “We are very close to getting it done, and they have to get it done. If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there.”