Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel and Hamas are close to a ceasefire agreement in Gaza

The Palestinian movement Hamas and the Israeli authorities are close to reaching an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages held in the enclave. This was announced by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Fox Business reports, quoted by Focus.

"I think we are getting closer to a deal, I think there is a good chance of making it happen“, he said in response to a question on the subject in an interview with Fox Business.

We recall that on July 6, Hamas and Israel, with the mediation of Egypt, Qatar and the United States, resumed the negotiation process in Doha, the goal of which is to reach an agreement on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of Israeli hostages held in the enclave. As sources told Al Arabiya TV on Monday, the consultations are taking place in a positive atmosphere, but no progress has yet been made. Israel's refusal to allow unhindered and safe access of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip is the main problematic issue in the negotiations, the media outlet indicates.