CNN reports that there has been progress in the peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

During the negotiations in Doha, members of the Israeli delegation expressed "cautious optimism" regarding the prospects of an agreement with Hamas on a ceasefire and the release of hostages. However, despite this, some disagreements still persist between both parties.

This was reported by RBK-Ukraine citing CNN.

The high-ranking Israeli delegation, which includes David Barnea, the head of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency, arrived in Doha after clear signs of progress emerged in the negotiations concerning the release of hostages and a ceasefire.

According to a CNN source, there is an understanding between the two sides regarding the Philadelphia Corridor—a narrow strip of land along the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip—as well as the presence of the Israel Defense Forces in the Gaza Strip and the wording related to the end of the war.

Israel has long demanded that its troops remain along the Philadelphia Corridor, while Hamas insists on their withdrawal. Disagreements over this narrow but strategically significant piece of land were a key reason for the failure of previous negotiations in August 2024.

The source also noted that disagreements persist between Hamas leadership in Gaza and the group's leadership abroad.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who met on Saturday with envoy Steve Witkoff from newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump for the Middle East, is facing pressure from both the current and incoming U.S. administrations to reach an agreement by January 20.

Despite this pressure, a CNN source reported that the decision to send a high-level delegation to negotiations in Doha was made because most parties involved genuinely want to reach an agreement. The conditions for this have already matured. "American pressure had nothing to do with this," the source claims.

However, the pressure from the U.S. is clearly felt within the Israeli government, acknowledged an Israeli official in an interview with CNN on Saturday.

The Israeli delegation also includes Nitzan Alon, head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) unit for hostage rescue, and Ronen Bar, head of Israel's Shin Bet security agency.

The forum for the families of hostages welcomed the decision to send the Israeli delegation to negotiations in Doha, calling this step "a historic opportunity to secure the release of all our loved ones."

Netanyahu and Biden Strengthen Efforts

On Sunday, January 12, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden held a phone call during which they discussed efforts aimed at achieving a ceasefire agreement and the release of hostages in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The White House and Netanyahu's office confirmed the phone call between the two leaders, without providing further details.

National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stated in an interview with CNN that President Biden's Middle East advisor Brett McGurk is working on the final details of the text that will be presented to both sides. However, he refrained from predicting whether an agreement could be reached by January 20—the day of Trump's inauguration.

"We are very, very close. But being very close still means we are far away, because until you cross the finish line, we won't be there," Sullivan said.

Israel's War with Hamas

Israel commenced a military operation in the Gaza Strip in response to Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. During the terrorist invasion, more than 1,200 people were killed, and 251 were taken hostage.

In November 2023, dozens of hostages were released as part of a temporary deal of "hostages for a ceasefire." However, the Israeli government believes that 98 hostages are still being held in Gaza—almost all of whom were captured on October 7, 2023, and dozens of them are considered dead.

Negotiations between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and the release of hostages have been stalled for several months, despite the efforts of outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump warned that "all hell will break loose" if hostages are not released before his inauguration on January 20.

At the end of last year, Israel and Hamas accused each other of delaying the conclusion of a peace agreement.

Meanwhile, it was revealed that Palestinian terrorists tortured hostages held in the Gaza Strip.