By Athena Papakosta

Since last weekend, the cease-fire debate in the Gaza Strip has re-ignited.

It comes after talks between representatives of Israel, the United States, Qatar and Egypt found “common ground” in Paris with negotiators reaching a “basic outline” of an agreement that would allow for a ceasefire.

The statement of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, that he hopes a ceasefire will be agreed within the next few days, even before next Monday, added more water to the discussion mill.

So far no document has seen the light of day.

A 40-day ceasefire is reportedly being discussed, which would also require the exchange of Israeli hostages for – as many as 400 – Palestinian prisoners and the provision of more humanitarian aid to the civilian population in the Gaza Strip.

It has also been reported, but not officially confirmed, that the Israeli army may withdraw and displaced civilians may return to the northern part of the Palestinian enclave.

Talks are still ongoing in Doha, Qatar between representatives of Israel and Hamas and as reported by the international media many of the issues still remain open.

A thorn appears to be the number of Palestinians imprisoned for each Israeli hostage as well as the redeployment of the Israeli armed forces and/or the return of civilians to their homes.

There are many who remain optimistic for a solution before the start of Ramadan on March 10. In fact, many people also stand by the statements of the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniya, who yesterday, Wednesday, declared that the Islamist Palestinian organization demonstrates flexibility in negotiations.

In particular, the leader of Hamas emphasized in his televised message that “any flexibility we show in the negotiations is to protect the blood of our people and put an end to their enormous suffering and sacrifices in this barbaric war of extermination.”

At the same time, Ismail Haniya underlined that Hamas is ready to continue fighting, calling on the Arab world to work to end the hunger in Gaza and the “axis of resistance” to intensify its efforts on behalf of the people of Gaza.

However, an official reaction from Hamas to this “basic outline” of an agreement that resulted in the Paris talks is still pending.

It is also indicative of the fact that the environment of the political leader of the organization, Yahya Sinuar, does not leak anything about how he can evaluate the ongoing talks.

At the same time in Israel the pressure is increasing as the families and friends of the hostages are once again on the road and walking to Jerusalem where they will arrive on Saturday hoping for the news they want to hear about the release of their own.