Israeli media said that the potential deal between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel for a ceasefire and prisoner exchange is closer than ever, noting that the United States is exerting “tremendous pressure.”

In this context, the Israeli "Wala" website reported that Hamas's demand and condition in the negotiations for the army's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip had been accepted.

This comes with the launch of a new round of indirect negotiations between the two parties in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, at a time when the Hamas movement confirms its adherence to the position it presented to the mediators on March 14.

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation quoted an American official as saying, “We are closer than ever to concluding a deal.”

The Israeli authority said that the United States is putting pressure on all parties, including Israel, noting that the latter is “losing prominent pressure tools,” and that Hamas wants to reach an agreement.

The commission stated that all parties are showing greater flexibility than before in the negotiations, and it also quoted a senior official as saying that the protests inside Israel are affecting pressure regarding the potential deal.

In the same context, Channel 13 quoted an Israeli official as saying that the United States is leading the current round of negotiations and is exerting tremendous pressure.

A new American move

Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper also reported from informed sources that the United States is moving very seriously and is determined to conclude a prisoner exchange deal.

The same sources said that CIA Director William Burns is expected to put a proposal on the table, noting that Washington is the main player in these negotiations and wants nothing less than to conclude a deal and ceasefire.

On the other hand, Israeli Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sent his political advisor, Ofir Blake, as part of the negotiating delegation to Cairo.

An informed source told Al Jazeera Net that the Hamas delegation, headed by Khalil al-Hayya, member of the political bureau and deputy head of the movement in Gaza - who arrived in Cairo on Sunday - will present its movement’s position in a meeting preceding the round of talks taking place tonight.

The source confirmed that the Hamas movement is still adhering to its position that it presented to the mediators on the 14th of last month, which is based on “a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of the occupation forces from Gaza, the return of the displaced to their places of residence, freedom of movement of people, relief and shelter, and a serious prisoner exchange deal.” This is according to the statement issued by the movement yesterday, Saturday.

The source indicated that the delegation’s travel came after the mediators’ request for the movement to present its position before the start of the negotiations, in which, in addition to the head of Egyptian intelligence, the head of the CIA, the heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet, and the Israeli army representative in the negotiations participate, in addition to the Prime Minister and Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed. Bin Abdul Rahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Powers of the Israeli delegation

Hebrew Channel 12 said that there was a remarkable development in the negotiations, noting that “the Israeli negotiating delegation headed by the head of the Mossad received, for the first time, a mandate from Netanyahu to formulate the text of an agreement for a deal with Hamas.”

Axios also quoted two senior informed Israeli officials as saying that the war council decided to expand the powers of the Israeli negotiating team.

Meanwhile, families of Israeli prisoners detained in Gaza continue to demonstrate in front of the Knesset to demand an immediate prisoner exchange deal.

Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the Israeli police pushed large forces to the vicinity of the Knesset, coinciding with the demonstrations organized by the families of the prisoners, coinciding with the passage of 6 months into the war.

On the other hand, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed with CIA Director William Burns the Egyptian-Qatari-American efforts to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza.

Al-Sisi warned of the expansion of the conflict in the Gaza Strip in a way that would harm regional security and stability.

The Egyptian presidency stated that the discussions between Sisi and Burns witnessed consensus regarding the danger of escalation in Rafah, south of the Gaza Strip, and a complete rejection of the displacement of Palestinians.

Source: Al Jazeera + Israeli press