Ceasefire, hostage exchange in Israel-Hamas war likely before March 10

Tel Aviv: The Israeli delegation, led by Mossad Chief David Barnea and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar, has returned to Jerusalem following marathon mediatory meetings in Paris and Cairo with US, Qatar and Egyptian officials.

According to Israel Defence Ministry sources, the Mossad Chief has informed Israeli War Cabinet members informally and stated that the truce will probably certainly take place before the start of Ramadan on March 10.

According to Israel Defence Ministry sources, Hamas has almost come down to all the suggestions put forward by Israel, including the release of all hostages, including the bodies of those who are dead.

Israel has also informed the mediators that if the deal does not work out, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will step up the Israel troops' ground offensive in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip housing a huge population of women and children.

The Israeli side has also agreed to the rehabilitation of the Palestinians who are displaced from northern Gaza, according to information available.

While the Israeli side was led by David Barnea and Ronen Bar, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, Chief of Central Intelligence Agency William Burns and Egyptian Intelligence Chief Abbas Kamel also were involved in the negotiations.

With inputs from IANS