Senior US official: Negotiations are complex and no agreement without a settlement on prisoners

Jerusalem - Ma'an - A senior US official said that the negotiations are complex and revolve around humanitarian aspects and a ceasefire in Gaza. "Agreement has already been reached on about 90% of the proposal for a ceasefire in Gaza," he added. "There will be no ceasefire agreement in Gaza without a settlement on the exchange of prisoners and hostages," he said. He continued, "The first stages of the proposed agreement stipulate the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas." "The first stage of the proposed agreement does not provide for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza," he said. He said, "There is a dispute between Hamas and Israel regarding the Philadelphi Corridor and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from it in the first stage." "There is an urgent need for a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, especially after what happened to the hostages last week," he said. He continued, "The statements of Israeli ministers that this agreement would sacrifice Israel's security are ab solutely incorrect." "The exchange of Palestinian prisoners and the areas from which the Israeli army should withdraw are the obstacles," he said. "Israel had offered weeks ago in the talks to significantly reduce its troop presence in the Philadelphi corridor," he said. Source: Maan News Agency