Officials said the Palestinian militant group Hamas had accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages. According to Qatar, which mediated the talks, negotiations between Israel and Hamas are “closer than ever” to reaching an agreement. The Israeli side also confirmed the progress in the talks, but said that the details were still being finalized. The draft proposal envisages a three-phase agreement, starting with a cessation of fighting, a hostage exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza and the introduction of humanitarian aid.
Officials expressed optimism Tuesday that they could secure a deal between Israel and Hamas before the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Jan. 20. A Qatari foreign ministry spokesman said the negotiations were positive and productive, but gave no further details.
"The draft agreement has been sent to both sides. Yes, the obstacles on the main controversial issues between the two sides have been overcome. Discussions are now continuing on the final details... It is difficult, especially based on past experience, to set a deadline for when the agreement can be announced, but I can say that today we are closer than ever before to achieving it ," said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.
Israeli officials confirmed the progress and said the plan would be sent to the cabinet for approval. Hamas announced in a statement that the negotiations had entered the "final stage . "
President-elect Trump declared on Monday evening that a ceasefire agreement is "very close" to being reached.
In an interview with the American channel Newsmax, Mr. Trump, who has sent his representative to the negotiations being held in Doha, Qatar, said that "there was a handshake and that perhaps the agreement will be reached by the end of the week."
President Joe Biden also confirmed the progress.
"Finally, we are on the verge of reaching an agreement based on the plan I proposed a few months ago. From my experience in public service, I have learned that you should never, ever, give up... They have been through hell. Too many innocent people have been killed, too many communities have been destroyed. The Palestinians deserve peace and the right to determine their own destiny. Israel deserves lasting peace and security. The hostages and their families deserve to be reunited. We are working urgently to reach this agreement," he declared.
The three-phase deal begins with the gradual release of 33 hostages, including women, children, the elderly and wounded civilians, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian women and children imprisoned by Israel, over a six-week period.
Among the 33 hostages will be five Israeli soldiers. They will be exchanged for 50 Palestinian prisoners, 30 of whom are militants serving life sentences. By the end of the first phase, all civilian hostages – dead or alive – are expected to be freed, according to the draft agreement, obtained by the Associated Press.
During these first 42 days, Israeli forces will withdraw from the populated center, Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes in northern Gaza, and the amount of humanitarian aid entering the enclave will increase.
Details of the second phase of the deal are to be discussed during the first phase. The agreement does not include written guarantees that the ceasefire will remain in effect in the meantime, leaving Israel open to restarting the military campaign after the first phase ends, but international mediators have given Hamas assurances.
Under the agreement, Israel will be allowed to maintain control of the Philadelphia Corridor, a section of territory along Gaza's border with Egypt, during the first phase, but will withdraw from the corridor that divides Gaza in half.
In the second phase, Hamas must release the remaining hostages who are alive, mainly soldiers, in exchange for other Palestinian prisoners and the "complete withdrawal" of Israeli forces from Gaza.
If an alternative government to govern Gaza is not negotiated in these talks, then Hamas will continue to have control over this territory.
In the third phase, the bodies of the slain hostages will be returned to Israel in exchange for a 3- to 5-year reconstruction plan for Gaza, which will be carried out under international supervision. VOA (A2 Televizion)
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