As Gaza bombardment continues, are Hamas, Israel close to cease-fire deal?

Israel’s offensive against the Palestinian Hamas movement continues to wreak havoc on the Gaza Strip for the 110th day amid reports of indirect negotiations between the two parties to reach a cease-fire.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar resumed mediation between Israel and Hamas Dec. 28 in order to reach a formula acceptable to all concerned parties that would include a truce in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages held captive by Hamas in Gaza.

Egyptian and Palestinian sources familiar with the negotiation process revealed to Reuters on Tuesday that Hamas and Israel “broadly agree in principle” on a 30-day cease-fire during which the hostages would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The truce would also see the entry of more humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. 

However, an agreement has failed to move forward due to Hamas’ insistence on including guarantees that the one-month cease-fire would be followed by a permanent cessation in fighting, according to the sources.