Hamas has agreed to a preliminary cease-fire arrangement after 15 months of conflict, which includes the imminent release of 33 hostages, according to those involved in the discussions on Tuesday.
Israeli officials indicated last night that the talks with the terror group were in the “advanced stages,” although the specifics of the agreement had not yet been fully settled.
Qatar, serving as a mediator, stated that both Israel and Hamas were at the “closest point” to reaching a compromise.
The proposed plan, which unfolds in three stages, has been outlined by the United States and backed by the UN Security Council. Before it can be implemented, it must receive final approval from the Israeli cabinet, as detailed by the Associated Press, which reviewed the draft document.
The first phase will involve the gradual release of 33 hostages over a period of six weeks, prioritizing women, children, the elderly, and those injured.
In exchange, Israel would free a significant number of Palestinian women and children held in detention, the report stated.
This exchange would also include five Israeli female soldiers, who would be swapped for 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 convicted militants serving life sentences.
During this initial phase, there would be an increase in humanitarian aid as Israeli troops pull back from populated areas, and Palestinians begin returning to their homes in the northern Gaza region.
By the conclusion of the first phase, all civilians—both living and deceased—who had been held captive will have been released, as per the report.
The specifics of the second phase will likely be negotiated in parallel with the first. While there is no formal assurance in writing that the cease-fire will carry over into the second phase, three mediators have provided Hamas with verbal assurances that talks will proceed as planned until an agreement is reached.
In this phase, Hamas is expected to release the remaining living captives, mainly male soldiers, in return for additional prisoner releases and the “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza, according to the draft agreement.
Nevertheless, Hamas has stated that it will not release the remaining hostages unless the war ends and Israel fully withdraws. Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu has previously declared that fighting will continue until Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities are dismantled.
Unless a new governing body for Gaza is established during the talks, Hamas could remain in control of the region.
The third phase of the plan would involve the return of the remaining hostages’ bodies in exchange for a three-to-five-year plan to rebuild Gaza.
The inauguration of Donald Trump on January 20 has been seen as a key deadline, with the president-elect warning Hamas of “hell to pay” if the hostages are not freed.
President Biden has also been actively pushing for the agreement, emphasizing in a Sunday phone call with Netanyahu the urgent need for a cease-fire in Gaza, the return of the hostages, and the provision of increased humanitarian aid, which could only be facilitated by halting the fighting under the deal, as stated by the White House.
Currently, Hamas is holding around 100 hostages, including seven Americans, in Gaza following the group’s attack on Israel in 2023. Officials estimate that up to half of these hostages may be dead.
{Matzav.com Israel}