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 talks. The proposed deal, which is still subject to final approval by the Israeli Cabinet, would bring an end to the 15-month war and see the gradual release of hostages held by Hamas. It also includes a plan for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from population centers and an increase in humanitarian aid.
Smoke rises following an Israel i airstrike in the Gaza Strip, as seen from Sderot, southern Israel , Monday, Jan. 6, 2025. CAIRO — Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant group were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal.
Officials have have expressed optimism before, only for negotiations to grind to a halt. But they are now suggesting that they can conclude an agreement ahead of the Jan. 20 inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, whose Mideast envoy has joined the negotiations. Israeli strikes across Gaza overnight and into Tuesday killed at least 18 Palestinians, including two women and four children, according to local health officials, who said one of the women was pregnant and that the baby died as well.
Details of the second phase still must be negotiated during the first. Those details remain difficult to resolve — and the deal does not include written guarantees that the ceasefire will continue until a deal is reached. That leaves the potential for Israel to resume its military campaign after the first phase ends.
CEASEFIRE GAZA STRIP HAMAS HOSTAGES ISRAEL NEGOTIATIONS
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