Negotiations toward a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are expected to resume in Qatar as soon as Sunday, Egyptian officials reportedly said Saturday.
Both sides have recently taken steps toward reigniting the talks for the first time since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan earlier this month, the Associated Press reported, citing two Egyptian officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
There had been hopes to reach a six-week truce before the start of Ramadan, but Hamas refused to accept a deal that didn't include a permanent cease-fire, a concession Israel refused to offer.
Israel's war against Hamas began on Oct. 7 when the terror group launched a surprise attack on Israel, indiscriminately killing some 1,200 people and abducting about 240 hostages back to Gaza.
Israel responded with a large-scale air and land campaign aimed at rooting Hamas out of Gaza. According to Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry, more than 31,000 people have been killed in Gaza.
Civilians represent the majority of those killed in both cases.
Hamas recently presented mediators with a new, three-phase proposal that would include an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners, and, ultimately a permanent cease-fire.
Under the first phase, Hamas would release 35 hostages - including women, the ill and older people - in exchange for some 350 prisoners held hostage by Israel, according to the AP. The exchange would occur during a six-week cease-fire.
Hamas would also swap at least five female Israeli soldiers in exchange for dozens of Palestinian prisoners, while Israel would loosen its hold on two main roads in Gaza, let displaced Gazans return to the strip's north, and allow greater flow of humanitarian aid.
The second phase would bring a permanent cease-fire, plus the exchange of those Israeli soldiers still held hostage for more Palestinian prisoners.
And in the third phase, Hamas would return the bodies of those who died in their captivity in exchange for Israel lifting its blockade of Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the proposal "unrealistic," according to the AP, but nevertheless agreed to send negotiators to Qatar.
Despite long-running talks, the sides have remained at odds over the prospect of a lasting cease-fire. Hamas has continued to insist on one, while Israel has refused to put one on the table.
