Following intense negotiations in Qatar, Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to a ceasefire agreement that includes the release of all hostages held in Gaza. This comes amidst growing pressure to end the conflict before President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration.
Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a 'final' draft of a deal to secure a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages held in the strip. This comes after fresh negotiations in Qatar ahead of President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration. The negotiations reportedly included Israel i spy chiefs, Qatar's prime minister, and President-elect Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
While Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment, officials are working to finalize the agreement before Trump takes office on January 20.There is a sense of urgency to reach a deal, as Trump has threatened that 'all hell will break out in the Middle East' if the hostages are not released by his inauguration. Seven of the remaining hostages are U.S. citizens. The conflict began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages into Gaza. Since then, Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas, leading to more than 15 months of devastating war in Gaza.Hamas-run health authorities claim over 46,000 people have been killed, although they do not differentiate between combatants and civilians. Reuters reported that the 'breakthrough' was reached in Doha in the early hours of Monday. The White House stated that President Biden had spoken to Netanyahu about the Doha talks and a deal proposed by the administration in May 2024. Biden 'stressed the immediate need for a ceasefire in Gaza and return of the hostages with a surge in humanitarian aid enabled by a stoppage in the fighting under the deal,' the White House said.Netanyahu faces increasing pressure from within Israel to secure the release of the hostages. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that there had been 'some progress in the negotiations,' and that Israel was 'working with our American friends in order to achieve a hostage deal.' However, Israeli finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, strongly opposes the deal, calling it a 'catastrophe' for the country's national security. He stated he would not support a 'surrender deal' that releases terrorist hostages, stops the war, and abandons many hostages.The future remains uncertain, with questions about whether a deal will be finalized in the coming week and whether it will effectively end the destruction in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages
GAZA HAMAS ISRAEL CEASEFIRE HOSTAGES
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