US and Israel voice new optimism about cease-fire as Gaza talks resume

JERUSALEM — U.S. and Israeli officials Thursday expressed renewed optimism over a cease-fire deal in the Gaza Strip, after Hamas revised its position and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu then told U.S. President Joe Biden that he is sending a new delegation of negotiators to the stalled talks.

White House officials said they believed new progress in the talks amounted to what one repeatedly called “a breakthrough” in the monthslong negotiations, although they said that it would take some time to work out the many steps involved in implementing a truce. Israeli and other officials involved in the talks agreed that there had been progress but described it in more cautious terms.

The discussions are based on a three-stage framework deal publicized by Biden in late May and endorsed by the United Nations. A senior Biden Administration official directly involved in the talks said there is broad agreement now about the steps required to transition from Phase 1, a temporary cease-fire, to Phase 2, a permanent end to the fighting and a release of the remaining living hostages.

The official, who asked not to be identified because of the sensitivities of the negotiations, compared the current situation to the deal that was eventually reached in November that led to a cease-fire for several weeks and the release of about 105 hostages. He said a “framework is now in place” for a new truce but that there was still more to do to reach a final deal.

David Barnea, head of the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency, will lead the Israeli negotiating team in Qatar as soon as Friday, said an Israeli official and another official familiar with the talks.

Many obstacles remain, including the question of whether Netanyahu will risk his right-wing coalition in agreeing to a cease-fire with Hamas. Two of his far-right coalition partners have insisted that the war against Hamas continue, potentially forcing Netanyahu to choose between a deal that ends the war and frees the hostages, and the survival of his government.

Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister reiterated in his call with Biden on Thursday evening that Israel would end the war “only after achieving its goals.” Israel’s stated goals include destroying Hamas’ military and governing capabilities in Gaza, and ensuring that the Palestinian enclave cannot again pose a threat. Both aims could take substantial time to achieve, if at all.