Negotiators are set to convene in Doha on Tuesday to finalize the details of a plan aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, following U.S. President Joe Biden’s announcement that a ceasefire and hostage release agreement he has advocated is nearing completion.
Mediators provided Israel and Hamas with a final draft of the agreement on Monday, according to an official familiar with the discussions, after a significant breakthrough occurred during late-night talks involving representatives from both the outgoing U.S. administration and President-elect Donald Trump.
Biden emphasized in a speech on Monday that the proposed deal would secure the release of hostages, cease hostilities, ensure Israel‘s security, and significantly increase humanitarian aid to Palestinians who have endured severe hardships due to the conflict initiated by Hamas.
If the ceasefire agreement is successful, it would conclude over a year of intermittent negotiations and result in the largest release of Israeli hostages since the early stages of the conflict, when Hamas exchanged approximately half of its prisoners for 240 Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
The official, who requested anonymity, indicated that Qatar presented the ceasefire and hostage release text to both parties during the Doha discussions. Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, expressed optimism, stating that there is a strong possibility of finalizing the agreement, as the parties are very close to reaching a consensus.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken noted that the next move lies with Hamas, which has expressed a willingness to negotiate a deal.
An Israeli official indicated that discussions are progressing significantly regarding the potential release of up to 33 hostages as part of the ongoing negotiations. According to Israeli authorities, there are still 98 hostages remaining in Gaza.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar addressed the media, stating, “There has been notable progress, and the situation appears much more favorable than before. I would like to express our gratitude to our American allies for their substantial efforts in facilitating a hostage agreement.”
A Hamas representative commented, “Negotiations on several key issues have advanced, and we are striving to finalize the outstanding matters shortly.”
Israel initiated its military operation in Gaza following a Hamas incursion across its borders in October 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 individuals and the abduction of over 250 hostages, as reported by Israeli sources.
Since that time, Palestinian health officials report that more than 46,000 people have died in Gaza, with extensive destruction across the region and a majority of the population displaced.
For several months, both parties have generally concurred on the principle of ceasing hostilities in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian detainees in Israeli custody. However, Hamas has consistently maintained that any agreement must result in a permanent cessation of hostilities and an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Israel has asserted that it will not conclude the conflict until Hamas is dismantled.
TRUMP’S INAUGURATION VIEWED AS A DEADLINE
The inauguration of Trump on January 20 is increasingly regarded as an unofficial deadline for reaching a ceasefire agreement. Trump has warned that there would be severe consequences unless Hamas releases hostages prior to his taking office.
Secretary of State Blinken indicated that negotiators are keen to ensure Trump will maintain support for the ongoing negotiations, making the participation of Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, alongside Biden’s envoy, Brett McGurk, essential to the talks.
An Israeli official who provided updates to the media on the proposed agreement stated that the initial phase would involve the release of 33 hostages, which would include children, women (some of whom are female soldiers), men over the age of 50, and those who are wounded or ill.
Negotiations for a second phase would commence on the 16th day of the ceasefire, focusing on the release of the remaining living hostages—male soldiers and men of military age—as well as the return of deceased hostages’ bodies.
The agreement would entail a gradual withdrawal of troops, with Israeli forces remaining stationed along the border to protect Israeli towns and villages. Security measures would be established in the Philadelphi corridor at Gaza’s southern edge, with Israel planning to withdraw from certain areas shortly after the deal is initiated.
Residents of unarmed North Gaza would be permitted to return, with safeguards in place to prevent the movement of weapons into the area. Additionally, Israeli forces would pull back from the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza.
The Israeli official noted that Palestinian militants convicted of murder or serious attacks could also be released, although the number would be contingent on the total of live hostages, which remains uncertain, and would exclude those involved in the October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.
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