Media reported slim chances of a Gaza deal before Trump's inauguration

The chances of reaching an agreement on the release of hostages held by radicals in the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave before the inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump are slim. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post (JP) on December 26, citing Israeli and US officials.

Despite the ongoing talks, there are "still differences between the sides," the publication quoted its knowledgeable source as saying.

Shortly before that, Israel put forward a new list of conditions for a withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and a ceasefire, which, according to the radical Palestinian movement Hamas, is delaying the talks. At the moment in Doha, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, negotiations are underway on a cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the exchange of prisoners of war.

Taking prisoners: Red Cross ready to help free Gaza hostages

Hamas and Israel accuse each other of stalling negotiations

Earlier, on December 25, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli delegation will leave Doha, where negotiations on the release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, to hold "internal consultations."

Prior to that, on December 23, Netanyahu said that there was "some progress" in the Gaza Strip ceasefire and hostage exchange talks. Netanyahu emphasized that the progress was due to military pressure on Hamas in Gaza and the death of Yahya Sinwar, the head of the movement's politburo.

The situation in the Middle East escalated on the morning of October 7, 2023, when the Palestinian radical movement Hamas launched a massive rocket attack from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Israel began retaliatory strikes the same day.

The Palestinians intend to return the borders between the two countries that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War, with possible land swaps. Palestine wants to establish its state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and make East Jerusalem its capital. Israel refuses these conditions.