"Let's go, 90% of the ceasefire negotiations are complete"...Rumors of a settlement by the end of this year

A high-ranking Palestinian official said, "90% of Gaza ceasefire negotiations are completed"
"A conclusion is also possible within the year...Israel should not add conditions"
" Issues on the establishment of a buffer zone for Israeli troops on the Gaza border"

[Anchor]
It has been observed that the Gaza War, which has been going on for a year and two months, may soon end.

Foreign media reports that the ceasefire negotiations have been almost concluded have continued through Palestinian officials, and this time attention is being paid to whether it will lead to an actual ceasefire.

I'm connecting to the international department. Reporter Kim Do-won, please tell us.

[Reporter]
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza have been 90% complete, the BBC reported, citing a senior Palestinian official.

In addition, China's Xinhua News Agency quoted Palestinian sources as saying a deal was imminent and that a deal could be reached within the year.

However, he added a clue that Israel should not set new conditions.

According to the BBC, the remaining issue is the Israeli military's presence in Gaza.

Negotiations continue over the establishment of a buffer zone on the border between Gaza, Egypt and Israel and the presence of Israeli forces.

If these issues are settled, a three-phase ceasefire could be agreed within days, Palestinian officials said.

Starting with Israeli female hostages, the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners takes place in stages, and refugees from Gaza return home under the supervision of Egypt and Qatar.

After the end of the war, Gaza will be managed by an expert committee involving all Palestinian factions, not Hamas.

Although hopeful comments have been made, it seems too early to be optimistic about a settlement as the remaining issues are not easy to reach an agreement.

[Anchor]
Aside from the ceasefire negotiations, Israel's airstrikes in Gaza continue, and the Pope has strongly criticized Israel?

[Reporter]
Pope Francis strongly criticized Israel's airstrikes in Gaza on the 20th, saying that this was not a war but an atrocity.

This is the content of a speech to priests working at the Vatican on the 21st local time.

In response, Israel's foreign ministry protested that the pope's remarks were a double standard.

It is not Israel who committed the atrocities, but terrorists who hold more than 100 people, including children, hostage for 440 days.

Earlier on the 20th, an Israeli bombing in Jabalia, northern Gaza, killed 10 members of a family, including seven children at home, and injured 15 others.

Air strikes continue every day.

On Monday local time, homes in Nuseirat and Deir al-Bala in central Gaza were hit by Israeli airstrikes, killing at least 10 people, including two children, Palestinian paramedics said.

I'm Kim Do Won of YTN in the international department.