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Middle East live updates: Israel, Hamas closer to ceasefire than ever before

Gaza ceasefire mediators hope to secure a deal before Jan. 20.

ByDavid Brennan and Nadine El-Bawab
Last Updated: January 15, 2025, 3:42 AM EST

The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza, particularly in the north of the strip. A latest round of peace talks to end the 15-month-old war has resumed in Qatar, with high-level delegations traveling to Doha.

Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.

Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.

Latest headlines:

Here's how the news is developing.
Jan 14, 2025, 3:19 PM EST

Israel waiting to hear back from Hamas on ceasefire agreement

Israel is currently waiting to hear back from Hamas on the most recent draft language of a ceasefire deal, sources told ABC News.

The two sides are reportedly closer to an agreement than ever before, according to a spokesperson for Qatar Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim bin Jabr Al Thani.

"The ongoing talks in Doha regarding Gaza are fruitful, positive and focus on the final details. Meetings are underway in Doha between the parties to the agreement and we are awaiting updates from them," the spokesperson told ABC News.

Implementation of the agreement will begin shortly after it is announced, according to the spokesperson.

Jan 14, 2025, 6:43 AM EST

Qatar expecting ceasefire deal 'soon'

Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson said at a Tuesday briefing that participants in the ongoing Gaza ceasefire talks in Doha are close to a ceasefire deal.

A statue of a mother embracing a child is seen under a tree with photos of hostages kidnapped during Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Jan. 14, 2025.
Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters

"We expect the agreement to be announced soon," the spokesperson said during the press conference.

Qatar is a key mediator between Israel and Hamas and has hosted several rounds of ceasefire talks in the capital Doha.

-ABC News' Nasser Atta

Jan 14, 2025, 6:26 AM EST

61 Palestinians killed in Gaza as ceasefire talks continue

The Gaza Ministry of Health said Tuesday that Israel Defense Forces strikes killed at least 61 Palestinians in the previous 24 hours and injured 281 more in the Hamas-run territory.

Palestinians carry the body of a relative killed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip at Al-Aqsa Hospital in Deir Al-Balah, on Jan. 14, 2025.
Abdel Kareem Hana/AP

The total number of Palestinians killed since the war broke out on Oct. 7, 2023, is now 46,645 with 110,012 people injured, according to the ministry.

-ABC News' Somayeh Malekian

Jan 14, 2025, 6:17 AM EST

Hamas says Gaza talks are in 'final stages'

Hamas said in a statement Tuesday that ceasefire, prisoner and hostage release talks with Israel are in their "final stages," adding it hopes "that this round of negotiations will end with a clear and comprehensive agreement."

Men walk with bicycles through debris near the site of Israeli bombardment on a residential block in Jalaa Street in Gaza City on Jan. 14, 2025.
Omar Al-qattaa/AFP via Getty Images

In a statement posted to the group's website, Hamas said it held meetings and consultations with leaders of other Palestinian factions regarding the progress made in ongoing negotiations in Doha, Qatar.

"During these contacts, the leaders of the forces and factions expressed their satisfaction with the course of the negotiations, stressing the need for general national preparation for the next stage and its requirements," Hamas said.

-ABC News' Nasser Atta

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