Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, according to officials involved in the ongoing negotiations. Mediator Qatar announced on Tuesday that Israel and Hamas are at the “closest point” yet to finalizing a deal.
The Associated Press reported that it has obtained a copy of the proposed agreement and confirmed it as authentic by an Egyptian official and a Hamas representative. An Israeli official noted significant progress while emphasizing that final details are still under discussion. The agreement will require approval from the Israeli Cabinet.
The ceasefire aims to halt the 15-month-long war triggered by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed approximately 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 250 hostages. Mediators from the US, Egypt, and Qatar have been striving to end the conflict, with optimism building ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
Framework of the Agreement
The agreement, based on a framework endorsed by US President Joe Biden and the UN Security Council, outlines three phases. Initially, 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, would be released over six weeks. In exchange, Israel would free hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli officials believe most of the hostages are alive.
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During the first 42 days:
- Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza’s population centers.
- Displaced Palestinians will begin returning to northern Gaza.
- Humanitarian aid will increase to 600 daily truckloads.
Negotiations for subsequent phases will occur during the initial ceasefire period. These phases include the release of remaining hostages, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and a reconstruction plan under international supervision.
Challenges and Humanitarian Crisis
Despite progress, challenges remain, including securing guarantees for the continuation of the ceasefire and resolving demands for the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The conflict has caused immense devastation, displacing 90 percent of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, with many facing famine conditions.
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Since October 7, over 46,000 Palestinians have died, with more than half being women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday killed 18 more Palestinians, including children and a pregnant woman.
International Pressure Intensifies
With Trump’s inauguration imminent, pressure has mounted on both sides to finalize a deal. Trump expressed confidence on Monday, stating a ceasefire is “very close” and could be completed by week’s end.
Hamas and Israel have previously blamed each other for delays in negotiations. However, both parties have indicated that the current talks are in their “final stage,” raising hopes for an end to one of the most deadly and destabilizing conflicts in recent history.
