Israel and Hamas finalize the ceasefire agreement for Gaza.
Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are making a final effort to conclude a Gaza ceasefire agreement in Doha, with indications that a deal is close.
Reports on Wednesday suggested progress, with unnamed Israeli officials claiming that Hamas had accepted the latest draft proposed by Qatari, US, and Egyptian mediators. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office quickly dismissed these reports, and Hamas did not immediately comment.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned on Tuesday night that they were “on the brink” of an agreement, pending “final word from Hamas.” A senior Hamas official later told Reuters that their official response was delayed as Israel had not provided maps detailing troop withdrawals from Gaza. This claim was contradicted by an Israeli source cited by Haaretz newspaper.
The proposed agreement involves a three-phase plan, starting with an initial six-week ceasefire. A Palestinian official informed the BBC that on the first day, Hamas would release three hostages, leading to the withdrawal of Israeli troops from populated areas. Additional hostages would be released gradually in the following weeks, with displaced residents allowed to return to northern areas. Israel anticipates 33 hostages will be freed initially, with a reciprocal release of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails.
Subsequent negotiations will focus on the second phase, which aims for the release of remaining hostages, a full Israeli troop withdrawal, and sustained calm, beginning two weeks after the initial phase.
Qatar’s foreign ministry expressed optimism on Tuesday, stating that no significant obstacles remained and an agreement could be reached soon. However, they cautioned that even minor details could derail the process.
The Israeli military’s campaign against Hamas began following a major attack on southern by the group on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry reports over 46,700 deaths, widespread displacement, and severe shortages of essential supplies.
Currently, 94 hostages are still held by Hamas, with 34 presumed dead. Additionally, four Israelis were abducted before the war, with two of them deceased. Families of hostages have urged the Israeli government to secure their release, emphasizing the urgency of the situation.
“We can’t miss this moment. This is the last moment; we can save them,” said Hadas Kalderon, whose husband, Ofer Kalderon, is among the hostages.
Palestinians also hope for an end to the 15-month conflict. Amal Saleh, a 54-year-old Gaza resident, expressed a desire for peace, despite the destruction. “We are waiting for the ceasefire and the truce. May God complete it for us in goodness, bless us with peace, and allow us to return to our homes,” she told Reuters.
The ongoing violence underscores the fragility of the situation. Overnight strikes in Deir al-Balah killed 11 people, including children, while seven others died in a strike on a school used as a shelter in Gaza City. The ise military claimed these targets were linked to Hamas operatives and took measures to minimize civilian casualties. They also accused Hamas of using civilian structures for military purposes.
As the negotiations continue, both sides remain locked in a deadly conflict, with hopes pinned on a ceasefire that could bring relief to the war-torn region.
