Efforts to secure a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas are reportedly 90% complete, but critical obstacles remain, according to a senior Palestinian official involved in negotiations.
At a glance:
- Talks mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt aim to finalize a three-stage ceasefire plan.
- A key sticking point is Israel’s continued military presence in the Philadelphi corridor near Egypt’s border.
- The deal proposes a prisoner exchange: 20 Palestinian prisoners for each female Israeli soldier released.
- Gaza’s future governance may be entrusted to a technocratic committee with broad Palestinian backing.
Negotiations, held in Doha, have reportedly addressed several contentious points but remain stalled over the Israeli military’s potential role in a buffer zone along Gaza’s border. Israel seeks to maintain security control, while Palestinians demand a reduction in Israeli presence.
The proposed ceasefire includes phased implementation:
- Initial prisoner exchanges, involving 400 Palestinian prisoners with long sentences, excluding high-profile figures like Marwan Barghouti.
- Gradual release of Israeli hostages, with 62 believed to still be alive.
- Resettlement of displaced Gazans in the north under international oversight and sustained humanitarian aid, with 500 trucks of aid per day.
In the final stage, Gaza would transition to a non-political technocratic administration supported by all Palestinian factions. This arrangement aims to avoid dominance by any single group, particularly Hamas.
Diplomatic efforts intensify
Renewed mediation by the US, Qatar, and Egypt reflects greater willingness on both sides to conclude a deal. A previous round of talks in October collapsed, with Hamas rejecting a short-term ceasefire proposal.
Hamas, along with Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), recently signaled that a ceasefire is closer than ever, provided Israel refrains from imposing additional conditions.
Background
The ongoing conflict began with a Hamas-led cross-border attack on Israel in October 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Over 100 hostages have since been freed through negotiations or military operations.
As negotiations continue, hopes are high for a breakthrough that could end the 14-month war and lay the groundwork for long-term peace in the region.
