Israel and Hamas are near a deal that could end the war in Gaza, with an agreement on exchanging hostages for Palestinian prisoners expected to be finalized this week.
A ceasefire would mark a significant breakthrough after 15 months of conflict. If successful, it would also see Israel release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held for years, including some who are believed to have been involved in recent attacks.
Under the deal, three hostages – likely women, children, and the elderly – would be released immediately, followed by a six-week exchange process involving the remaining 30 hostages. The second stage of the deal would involve releasing soldiers and reservists in return for more prisoner releases.
The third stage would focus on rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure, which has been severely damaged due to the ongoing fighting. A buffer zone will remain in place inside Gaza during any ceasefire.
However, questions remain about the deal, including whether Hamas is willing to release all of its hostages and if Israel will agree to pull out from its security zone. The deal also raises concerns that it may not be a lasting solution given the ongoing nature of Hamas’s military capabilities.
A 7 October 2023 attack by Hamas on southern Israel marked the beginning of the conflict, with hundreds killed and over 250 hostages taken. Since then, both sides have engaged in devastating attacks, leading to significant civilian casualties and widespread destruction.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy5klgv5zv0o