File Photo: Qatar s Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Majed Al-Ansari, speaks to journalists during a press conference in Doha, Qatar Photo courtesy of Qatar s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
US, Egyptian and Qatari mediators met with Israeli intelligence officials in Pairs on Sunday where they proposed a six-week pause in the Israeli war on Gaza and a captive-prisoner exchange for Hamas to review.
"That proposal has been approved by the Israeli side and now we have an initial positive confirmation from the Hamas' side," Majed al-Ansari told an audience at a Washington-based graduate school.
"There is still a very tough road in front of us," said Ansari.
"We are optimistic because both sides now agreed to the premise that would lead to a next pause.
"We're hopeful that in the next couple of weeks, we'll be able to share good news about that," he added.
The Qatar-based leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, was expected in Cairo on Thursday or Friday for talks on a proposed truce.
Previously, Qatar mediated a one-week break in fighting that began in November and led to the release of scores of Israeli and foreign captives, as well as aid entering the besieged Palestinian territory.
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