A draft agreement involving Hamas and Israel, mediated by the U.S. and Qatar, proposes a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. The deal, if approved, aims to end 15 months of conflict and bring much-needed relief to the war-torn region.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, according to two officials involved in the talks. Mediators the United States and Qatar stated that Israel and the Palestinian militant group are closer than ever to finalizing a deal that could bring an end to 15 months of war. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, and both an Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed its authenticity.
An Israeli official confirmed that progress had been made, but the specifics were still being finalized. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations. 'I believe we will get a ceasefire,' US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a speech on Tuesday, emphasizing that the decision ultimately rested with Hamas. 'It’s right on the brink. It’s closer than it’s ever been before,' and word could arrive within hours or days. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar asserted that Israel would not compromise on security and would intervene if any future threats emanated from Gaza. 'And if we will see terrorism in the Gaza Strip at any point in the future, we will do the same thing we are doing in Judea and Samaria,' he stated during a press conference in Rome with Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani. Saar used a term widely employed in Israel to refer to the occupied West Bank, where Israeli troops frequently conduct raids against Palestinian militant groups.For the past year, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have been actively mediating to end the war and secure the release of dozens of hostages captured in Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the conflict. Nearly 100 individuals remain captive within Gaza, with the military estimating that at least a third have likely perished. Any agreement is anticipated to pause the fighting and offer hope for de-escalation in the deadliest and most destructive war ever fought between Israel and Hamas, a conflict that has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests. It would bring much-needed relief to the heavily impacted Gaza Strip, where Israel’s offensive has devastated vast areas, leaving around 90 percent of the 2.3 million population displaced, many facing the threat of famine. If a deal is reached, it will not be implemented immediately. The plan requires approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s security cabinet and then his full cabinet, both of which are dominated by Netanyahu’s allies and are likely to approve any proposal he presents. Officials have previously expressed optimism only to be met with negotiations stalled while both sides blamed each other. However, they now suggest they can conclude an agreement before the January 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy has joined the negotiations. In the October 7 attack, Hamas-led militants killed approximately 1200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted another 250. Around half of these hostages were released during a brief ceasefire in November 2023. Families of the remaining hostages say 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, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not specify the number of combatants killed. Many photographs depicting victims from the war are too graphic to be published. Israeli strikes across Gaza into Tuesday killed at least 18 Palestinians, including two women and four children, according to local health officials, who reported that one woman was pregnant, and her baby also perished. The Israeli military has not yet issued a statement. Israel maintains that it only targets militants and accuses them of using civilians as shields. Any agreement reached, which would need to be endorsed by the UN Security Council – would begin with the release of 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults, and wounded civilians, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children imprisoned by Israel. Among the 33 would be five female Israeli soldiers, each to be released in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 militants serving life sentences. During this 42-day phase, Israeli forces would withdraw from population centers, Palestinians could start returning to what remains of their homes in northern Gaza, and there would be a surge in humanitarian aid, with approximately 600 trucks entering each day. Details of the second phase still need to be negotiated during the first phase
GAZA ISRAEL HAMAS CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES MIDDLE EAST CONFLICT US MEDIATION QATAR MEDIATION
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