Premature Reports Of ‘Positive’ Breakthrough On Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal

Update(1335ET): Oil has reversed, and is now surging, with Bloomberg providing the following limited details of what appears to be positive momentum, but not yet a “done deal”…

The people, who asked not to be identified discussing private deliberations, said conversations are still in the early stages and a breakthrough isn’t expected in the coming days.

Qatar presented Hamas with a proposal that would see a 45-day pause and the release of some Palestinian prisoners in exchange for all the women, children and elderly Israeli hostages, according to one official briefed on the talks.

A now deleted Al Jazeera tweet triggered premature headlines moments ago, causing oil to briefly react and drop on the news. But now…

QATAR OFFICIAL: THERE IS NO CEASEFIRE DEAL YET FOR GAZA: RTRS

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Qatar has announced Israel has agreed to the major ceasefire proposal which has been worked on intensely for over the past week. Qatar has also said Hamas has issued ‘positive confirmation’, according to Al Jazeera.

Oil plunged on the news, and amid the first hopeful sign in months that Gaza could witness a breakthrough ceasefire…

The negotiation efforts have involved not only Qatar but Egypt too, with the latest days of most intense talks happening in Paris, involving CIA Director William Burns.

“The proposed three-part deal, formulated during international intelligence chief meetings in Paris, includes a notable provision—Hamas’s demand for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners for each female Israeli soldier set free,” Israeli media sources have noted.

Israel has sought the release of all prisoners held in Gaza by the end of a multi-phased plan, which could see a 2-month “pause” in fighting – though Netanyahu has still consistently expressed the goal of seeing Hamas totally eradicated.

developing…