"Talks between the Hamas leadership and Israel, with support from the United States, are now going on in Qatar," Hersh said in his column published on Substack on Friday. "The American team includes CIA Director William Burns, President [Joe] Biden’s most experienced foreign policy aide."
According to Hersh, a tentative agreement was reached days ago between Israel and Hamas.
Under the tentative agreement, Hamas agreed to release 50 women and elderly hostages in return for the release of hundreds of women and teenage girls of Hamas families who are now in Israeli jails, Hersh added.
The United States insists that family members be released together from captivity, Hersh said, adding that as a result of this demand Washington is calling for the release of 71 hostages held by Hamas.
Hamas reportedly agreed to the US demand. However, Hamas insisted on a five-day halt to the war, which was immediately rejected by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Hersh reported.