Rumors of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza

Reuters yesterday quoted informed sources as saying that a ceasefire and hostage release agreement in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Israel could be signed in the next few days thanks to progress in dialogue mediated by the US, Egypt and Qatar.

Earlier this week, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz said the two sides were closer than ever to a deal, and Hamas said a day later that talks were serious and active.

The US administration is stepping up efforts to reach an agreement before President Joe Biden leaves office next month. CIA Director William Burns arrived in Doha, Qatar, on December 18 to meet with Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to resolve remaining differences between Hamas and Israel.

Taking advantage of the turmoil in Syria, Israel wants to speed up the annexation of the Golan Heights?

The White House and the State Department are cautiously optimistic, having come close to a deal before but it has fallen apart. "All the United States can do is push and try to find a compromise, but we can't force the parties to make a choice. They have to make their own decisions," said State Department spokesman Matthew Miller.

The 14-month conflict has killed more than 45,000 people in the Gaza Strip and displaced nearly all of its residents, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israel says there are still 96 hostages being held in Gaza, of whom at least 34 have died.