A major development in Doha has brought a ceasefire agreement for Gaza within reach, following over a year of intermittent negotiations. Negotiators are set to gather in the Qatari capital on Tuesday to finalize details of a potential ceasefire and hostage release agreement, which could significantly contribute to ending the ongoing Gaza conflict.
The breakthrough comes after U.S. President Joe Biden announced that the deal is “on the brink” of being finalized.
The agreement, facilitated by Qatar, has been presented to both Israel and Hamas, according to sources involved in the negotiations.
A key moment came at midnight on Monday, when a significant breakthrough occurred. U.S. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan remarked, “The parties are right on the cusp of being able to close this deal.”
Hostage Release and Humanitarian Aid
The deal proposes the release of 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, currently held by Hamas in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would release a number of Palestinian detainees, although the exact figure remains unspecified. The proposed ceasefire would halt the fighting and enable increased humanitarian aid to flow into the region.
“This agreement will provide security to Israel, halt the fighting, and deliver much-needed assistance to Palestinians who have suffered immensely in this war,” President Biden said in a statement on Monday, underscoring his administration’s foreign policy achievements.
Timeline and Agreement Terms
This agreement marks the culmination of more than a year of intermittent negotiations, with significant involvement from U.S. and Qatari officials in bridging the divide between the two sides. Both outgoing President Biden and President-elect Donald Trump have dispatched representatives to Doha to ensure ongoing U.S. support for the agreement.
Under the proposed terms, the agreement would include:
- A 16-day ceasefire.
- During the ceasefire, negotiations would continue to secure the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers and younger men.
- Israeli troops would begin a phased withdrawal from Gaza, starting with the Netzarim corridor and other strategic points.
Challenges and Unresolved Issues
Despite the progress, key challenges remain. Hamas has demanded a permanent end to the conflict and the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Israel, on the other hand, insists it will not halt operations until Hamas is fully dismantled.
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar expressed cautious optimism, saying, “There is progress, it looks much better than previously. We are grateful to our American allies for their efforts.”
A senior Hamas official also indicated progress in negotiations, stating, “The negotiation over some core issues made progress, and we are working to conclude what remains soon.”
The conflict, which escalated after a deadly Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has claimed more than 46,000 lives in Gaza, according to Palestinian health authorities. Much of the Gaza Strip has been decimated, leaving millions displaced.
With the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Trump approaching, there is growing urgency to reach an agreement. Trump has previously warned of severe consequences should hostages not be released before he takes office.
