After 15 months of intense conflict, Hamas has accepted a draft ceasefire agreement that includes the release of dozens of hostages held captive in Gaza. Mediators from the United States and Qatar are optimistic about a final deal, but hurdles remain before the agreement can be fully implemented.
Hamas has agreed to a draft ceasefire deal in the Gaza Strip, paving the way for the release of dozens of hostages, according to officials involved in the negotiations. Mediators, the United States and Qatar , state that Israel and the Palestinian militant group are closer than ever to finalizing an agreement that could bring an end to the 15-month war. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, which was confirmed by both an Egyptian official and a Hamas official.
While an Israeli official acknowledged progress, they emphasized that the details are still being finalized. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to protect the sensitive nature of the talks.US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence in a ceasefire, stating it rested solely on Hamas's decision. He emphasized the unprecedented proximity to a resolution, suggesting a breakthrough could occur within hours or days. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, however, reiterated Israel's unwavering commitment to security, vowing to respond forcefully to any future threats emanating from Gaza. Saar explicitly stated that Israel would adopt the same tactics employed in the West Bank if terrorism resurfaced in Gaza.The proposed agreement, if approved, would mark a significant step towards de-escalating one of the most brutal conflicts in the region. The United States, Egypt, and Qatar have tirelessly mediated for the past year, seeking to end the war and secure the release of hostages captured during Hamas's October 7, 2023, attack. Nearly 100 hostages remain captive in Gaza, with fears mounting for the safety of at least a third. A ceasefire would offer much-needed relief to the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by Israel's offensive, with large swathes reduced to rubble and displacing 90% of its 2.3 million population, many facing imminent starvation. The agreement, however, is not without potential hurdles. It requires approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet and then his full cabinet, both heavily influenced by Netanyahu's allies. While optimism prevails, officials acknowledge the possibility of negotiations stalling once again, as they have in the past, with both sides blaming each other for the impasse. Nevertheless, the current atmosphere suggests a genuine possibility of reaching a lasting agreement before the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy has joined the negotiations. During the October 7 attack, Hamas militants killed approximately 1200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted 250 more. Half of the hostages were released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Of those remaining, families report that two are children, 13 are women, and 83 are men. Israel's retaliatory offensive has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, with over half being women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. The ministry does not specify the number of combatants among the dead. Many photographs depicting the war's victims are too graphic to be published
GAZA STRIP CEASEFIRE HAMAS HOSTAGES ISRAEL MIDDLE EAST WAR CONFLICT UNITED STATES QATAR NEGOTIATIONS
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