The Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper reported that indirect negotiations between Hamas and the Israeli government have resumed after previously halting due to both parties insisting on their preconditions to move forward with any agreement.

Sources from Hamas told the newspaper that mediators exerted pressure on both the movement’s leadership and the Israeli side to drop the conditions previously set for agreeing on a new phase of the ceasefire.

Tahir Al-Nunu, media advisor to the head of Hamas' political bureau, told Reuters that a new round of indirect talks with the Israeli delegation regarding a ceasefire began today in Doha.

Hamas had previously insisted on clear guarantees for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire before agreeing to other terms, while Israel rejected that demand and insisted that negotiations proceed based on a proposal by U.S. envoy Steve Wietkoff, which stipulated the release of half of the living hostages as a first phase.

Israeli Channel 12 quoted an Israeli political official as saying:
"These are decisive hours, and the delegations are meeting again to negotiate. Hamas is now facing a choice: either move forward with the deal or face an expanded military operation in Gaza."