Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Talks: What Is Happening Now? (image: twitter.com/jacksonhinklle)

According to Al Jazeera sources, negotiations between Israel and Hamas, on the ground of ceasefire and prisoner exchange, are “progressing and at an advanced stage.” Qatar is holding the mediation talks.

Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of the UN’s Palestine refugees agency said that “Gaza is being strangled,” and the large-open air prison, today, is a graveyard of residents trapped between war, siege and distress. “An immediate humanitarian ceasefire must be enacted to allow safe, continuous and unrestricted access to fuel, medicine, water and food in the Gaza Strip,” he stressed.

Similarly, Qatar has also requested for immediate ceasefire and the release of prisoners. “The Israeli attacks against innocent civilians have become catastrophic and could spiral in a manner that threatens the region and the world,” Sheikha Alya Ahmed Saif Al Thani, Qatar’s ambassador to the UN said. She expressed regret of the UN Security Council”s failure to take responsibility of the matter under its charter.

“We renew our calls for de-escalation, a full ceasefire, and the release of all prisoners – particularly civilians. We reaffirm our condemnation of all forms of targeting civilians, particularly women and children,” Qatar diplomat added.

Regarding the Israel-Hamas potential ceasefire reports, Sultan Barakat from Hamad Bin Khalifa University told Al Jazeera not to raise expectation since it is complicated process. He added that to verify ceasefire “they need to come up with a formula,” quotes Al Jazeera. Moreover, discussion on a ceasefire in exchange for prisoners, need to be cautioned, Mr Barakat said.

Since October 7, more than 7000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli attacks and over 1,400 people were killed in the Hamas attack on Israel.