US Envoy Says New Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Deal Possible in Weeks
- Israel cuts off electricity to Gaza to prompt hostage releases
- Talks stumbled over Israel-US demand for end to Hamas rule
Palestinians during Ramadan, in the Tel al-Hawa area, west of Gaza City.
Photographer: Ahmad Salem/BloombergA new Gaza ceasefire deal under which Israel would recover all hostages held by Hamas is possible, even within weeks, a US negotiator said after holding rare direct talks with the Palestinian militant group.
A six-week truce mediated by Qatar and Egypt expired on March 2, leaving the sides on the verge of resuming a 17-month-old war that has shaken the region. Efforts to secure an open-ended suspension of hostilities have stumbled over Israel’s demand, backed by the US, for an end to Hamas’ rule and arsenal in the Gaza Strip.