A draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip has been reached, with Hamas agreeing to the release of dozens of hostages captured during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. The three-phase agreement, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, aims to end the 15-month war and address humanitarian concerns. Details of the agreement, including prisoner exchanges and the withdrawal of Israeli forces, are still being finalized.
Hamas has agreed to a draft ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which includes the release of dozens of hostages captured during their October 7, 2023, attack on Israel . Two officials involved in the negotiations confirmed the development, stating that the agreement is at its closest point yet to being finalized. An Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed the authenticity of the proposed agreement obtained by the Associated Press.
An Israeli official reported progress in the talks but noted that details are still being finalized and require approval from the Israeli Cabinet. The agreement, mediated by the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, aims to end the 15-month war and secure the release of the hostages. Around 100 Israelis remain captive in Gaza, with the military estimating that at least a third are deceased. Officials expressed optimism about concluding the agreement before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on January 20th, with his Middle East envoy joining the negotiations. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stated that ongoing negotiations are positive and productive, while refusing to divulge specifics. Hamas, in a statement, announced that negotiations had reached their 'final stage.' The conflict has devastated Gaza, reducing vast areas to rubble and displacing 90% of its 2.3 million population. Hundreds of thousands are living in tent camps along the coast, facing widespread hunger. Israeli airstrikes across Gaza overnight and Tuesday morning resulted in the deaths of at least 18 Palestinians, including two women and four children. Meanwhile, Yemen's Houthi rebels launched two missiles toward Israel, triggering sirens and prompting people to take shelter. No casualties were reported from the projectiles. The proposed three-phase agreement, based on a framework established by U.S. President Joe Biden and endorsed by the United Nations Security Council, commences with the gradual release of 33 hostages over six weeks. This includes women, children, elderly individuals, and wounded civilians in exchange for potentially hundreds of Palestinian women and children imprisoned by Israel. Five female Israeli soldiers would be released in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 convicted militants serving life sentences. By the conclusion of this first phase, all civilian captives, both living and deceased, will be released. During this initial 42-day phase, Israeli forces would withdraw from population centers, enabling Palestinians to return to their homes in northern Gaza. A surge in humanitarian aid would also occur, with 600 trucks entering daily. Details of the second phase remain under negotiation during the first phase. These details are particularly challenging to resolve, and the agreement does not include written guarantees that the ceasefire will be maintained until a final deal is reached. This leaves the possibility for Israel to resume its military campaign after the first phase concludes. However, the three mediators have assured Hamas verbally that negotiations will proceed as planned and they will actively strive for a deal to implement the second and third phases before the end of the first phase, according to an Egyptian official. The agreement allows Israel to retain control of the Philadelphi Corridor, a strip of territory along Gaza's border with Egypt, throughout the first phase. Hamas initially demanded Israel withdraw from this area. Nevertheless, Israel would withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor, a central Gaza belt where it sought a mechanism for searching Palestinians for arms upon their return to the territory's north. In the second phase, Hamas would release the remaining living captives, primarily male soldiers, in exchange for more prisoners and the 'complete withdrawal' of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to the draft agreement. However, Hamas has stated that it will not release the remaining hostages without an end to the war and a complete Israeli withdrawal. In contrast, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to resume fighting unless Hamas's military and governing capabilities are eliminated. Unless an alternative government for Gaza is established during these negotiations, it could leave Hamas in control of the territory. Finally, in the third phase, the bodies of remaining hostages would be returned in exchange for a three- to five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza. This plan would be implemented under international supervision
GAZA HAMAS CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES ISRAEL NEGOTIATIONS MEDITERRANEAN
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