Israeli media reports progress in Gaza ceasefire talks

JERUSALEM -- Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported Tuesday that progress has been made in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a Gaza ceasefire agreement, including the release of hostages and prisoners.

According to the report, the talks focus on a key dispute regarding the presence of Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip during the proposed 60-day ceasefire.

Sources involved in the negotiations told the channel that the sides are discussing the size of a buffer zone between the Philadelphi and Morag corridor routes in southern Gaza, where Israeli troops would remain deployed. One source noted that "agreements can be reached."

The proposed agreement, prepared in coordination with mediating countries, includes the release of 10 Israeli live hostages and 18 bodies from Gaza over the ceasefire period, along with the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.

A new round of indirect talks between Hamas and Israel resumed on July 6 in Doha amid international efforts to end the conflict that has devastated Gaza for more than 21 months.

The Israeli military campaign in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in 59,106 Palestinian deaths and 142,511 injuries, Gaza-based health authorities said Tuesday.