There are still outstanding issues, the official told reporters. He does not expect the deal to be finalized within days. According to the official, Hamas has partially changed its position. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said earlier on Thursday that his country is “closer than ever” to an agreement on the return of the hostages held by Hamas.
The official also said that US President Joe Biden and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a half-hour call on a possible deal between the warring parties in the Gaza Strip. Israel previously announced that Netanyahu said in that conversation that he would send a negotiating team. According to the US official, the talks are likely to be held in Doha, the capital of Qatar.