A senior Israeli official has indicated that a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas may be achievable within one to two weeks, though he downplayed the possibility of a deal being finalized immediately. The comments came during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington, where diplomatic efforts to end the ongoing Gaza conflict intensified.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said both sides were progressing toward a potential 60-day truce, which would include a hostage-release component. If agreed upon, Israel intends to use the pause in hostilities to push for a permanent ceasefire that would require Hamas to disarm. If Hamas refuses, the official warned, military operations would resume.

U.S. Pushes for Agreement

Former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been heavily involved in recent Middle East diplomacy, met with Netanyahu twice this week. Trump previously predicted that a deal could be finalized within days, fueling speculation that an announcement might come before Netanyahu departs Washington on Thursday.

However, speaking on Wednesday, Trump revised expectations slightly, saying an agreement was “very close” but could happen “this week or next” — though he stopped short of guaranteeing a timeline.

Sticking Points Remain

According to a source close to Hamas, four days of indirect negotiations in Qatar failed to resolve critical disagreements, especially regarding long-term security arrangements and the release of hostages. Israeli officials have remained tight-lipped about the exact terms under discussion.

U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said the potential agreement would include the release of 10 living hostages and the return of nine bodies of those believed to be deceased. Currently, Israel estimates that around 50 hostages remain in Gaza, with 20 thought to be alive.

Broader Regional Context

Netanyahu’s Washington trip follows a dramatic escalation in regional tensions, including a brief war between Israel and Iran that lasted 12 days. The conflict prompted U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, which Trump later claimed had “obliterated” three key enrichment sites — Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan.

While U.S. officials maintain that the strikes inflicted significant damage, some experts remain skeptical, suggesting Iran may have hidden enriched uranium in other undisclosed locations. Israeli intelligence believes Iran’s enriched materials remain at the bombed sites, though acknowledges that access to Isfahan may still be possible.

Heavy Toll of the Gaza War

The Gaza conflict, triggered by a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023 that killed roughly 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, has since escalated into a humanitarian catastrophe. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 57,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli retaliatory strikes, with vast areas of the territory reduced to rubble.

Despite growing international pressure, a lasting peace remains elusive. However, recent developments suggest that a limited ceasefire deal may be within reach, potentially offering a temporary reprieve in a war that has devastated both sides.