Update on Gaza Ceasefire Negotiations and Regional Diplomacy

Original Notes from the Background Call with NSC Senior Official

The path is now set for saving lives, bringing relief to the people of Gaza, and de-escalating regional tensions. There is a consensus, and negotiations are in the final stages with the full support of Egypt and Qatar as mediators.

The parties will reconvene in Cairo before the end of next week. It is crucial to ensure that no further attacks occur; if they do, there will be serious consequences for Iran.

Significant preparatory work has been done in Doha over the past 48 hours, marking the most constructive period in recent months. The Israeli team was empowered, and while Hamas officials were not present in Doha, senior officials from Qatar and Egypt negotiated on their behalf.

Israel presented a proposal on May 27, and President Biden addressed the situation on May 31, emphasizing that more work was needed. On July 3, Hamas made changes, and Israel issued their revised version on July 27. The deal is nearly finalized, but details such as the list of Israeli hostages and Palestinians still need to be sorted out.

Further meetings in Doha and Cairo will focus on implementation stages, including aid, humanitarian provision, rubble removal, and rebuilding medical services and living conditions. The actual exchange of hostages and other aspects will be discussed to ensure proper implementation.

Next week, the meeting in Cairo aims to conclude the deal, with Secretary Blinken traveling to the region on Sunday, starting in Israel.

There has been a strong collective effort to drive this deal to conclusion in the past 48 hours. The situation remains complex, uncomfortable, and imperfect, as is often the case with such deals. This comprehensive bridging proposal is based on Biden’s ceasefire plan, including negotiated changes. One challenging aspect of the deal involves the prisoner exchange, where Israel must release individuals who committed serious crimes in exchange for innocent captives.

Regarding Iran, the US team is confident that they will hold off at least until the talks are complete. The United States has positioned all necessary measures to defend Israel from Iran and has engaged in extensive diplomacy to make clear the consequences of any actions. The ceasefire deal and the Iran issue are separate, but the US team is doing everything possible to ensure neither escalates. It is important to note that the US is prepared for any contingency.