Gaza ceasefire deal could be finalised within 48 hours as hostage talks advance: Report

A Gaza ceasefire deal could be finalised within the next 48 hours, according to a CNN report, citing multiple sources involved in the negotiations.

Two Israeli sources described the agreement as “very close,” with one suggesting an announcement might come within 24 hours. A third source indicated the deal could be reached within 48 hours, with the release of hostages expected to begin early next week.

A US official also confirmed that progress has been made, stating that a deal could be reached within “days.”

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said that negotiations to end the war had made “a lot of headway” and that a ceasefire would be declared if they reached a positive outcome.

Fidan said the talks in Egypt, in which Ankara is taking part, are focused on securing a ceasefire, exchanging hostages and prisoners, allowing more aid and coordinating a timetable for a withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Earlier in the day, senior Hamas official Taher al-Nounou said that negotiators from his group and Israel have exchanged lists of prisoners and hostages who would be released should a deal be reached during the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks in Egypt.

According to Reuters, al-Nounou also said Hamas expressed optimism about reaching a deal, stating that the group has demonstrated the necessary positivity.

In a sign of progress in the talks, an Israeli official told CNN that the government has begun drafting a preliminary ceasefire resolution to present to the cabinet for a vote if an agreement is reached.

Under Israeli law, any decision to release Palestinian prisoners as part of a hostage deal requires government approval.

If the cabinet approves the deal, there is a brief period during which petitions can be filed with Israel’s High Court of Justice to challenge the releases. The government can proceed with the releases only after this process is cleared.

Meanwhile, Israel believes Hamas may be unable to locate and return the remains of all deceased hostages still in Gaza, according to a CNN report, citing three Israeli sources — a factor that could hinder efforts to finalise a ceasefire deal.

The Israeli government has insisted on the return of all hostages, living and dead, as a condition for ending the war.

However, officials have known for months that Hamas may not know the whereabouts of some bodies or may be unable to retrieve them, the sources said.

One official warned that Hamas could exploit this uncertainty to delay implementing any ceasefire and to press for a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza before returning all hostages.

Another source voiced concern that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might use the issue as a pretext to stall or derail talks — echoing accusations from critics and some hostage families that he imposes shifting demands for political reasons.

With inputs from agencies