Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, officials say. The US and Qatar have been mediating talks between Israel and Hamas to bring an end to 15 months of war.
The proposed three-phase agreement would begin with the release of 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, older adults, and wounded civilians, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal could pause fighting and bring relief to the hard-hit Gaza Strip, where Israel’s offensive has reduced large areas to rubble.
The plan would not go into effect immediately, requiring approval from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet and his full Cabinet. Officials are optimistic that a deal can be reached ahead of US President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
A ceasefire has been elusive for months, with both sides blaming each other for the stalemate. However, with growing pressure ahead of Trump’s inauguration, Israel and Hamas are now closer to sealing a deal. The Egyptian official and a Hamas official confirmed the authenticity of the proposed agreement, while an Israeli official said progress has been made, but the details are being finalized.
The negotiations have given verbal guarantees that talks will continue as planned and that mediators will press for a deal to implement the second and third phases before the end of the first. The deal would allow Israel to remain in control of certain territories during the first phase but withdraw from others.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-news-01-14-2025-a1495c0f4f13102903ce31a862c49baa