Multiple sources have confirmed significant progress in negotiations hosted in Doha between the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and Israel, increasing the likelihood of announcing a ceasefire agreement in Gaza along with a prisoner and detainee exchange within hours.
According to Reuters, negotiators in Doha are set to meet today, Tuesday, to finalize the agreement. A source familiar with the negotiations stated that mediators had delivered a final draft of the agreement to both Hamas and Israel.
Meanwhile, Channel 13 in Israel reported that Israeli officials expect the agreement to be announced this afternoon.
Brett McGurk, President Joe Biden’s envoy, and Steven Witkoff, President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, are both expected to attend Tuesday’s talks in Doha.
Optimism from All Sides
Statements from various stakeholders indicate significant progress. President Biden described the agreement as being “on the brink” of realization, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that the parties are “closer than ever” to finalizing the deal.
Hamas confirmed substantial progress in the talks, and an Israeli official acknowledged that negotiations had reached advanced stages.
U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan noted considerable convergence on the most critical points. He mentioned advancements in issues such as the terms for prisoner and detainee exchanges, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and plans to scale up humanitarian aid after the ceasefire. He added, “Disagreements are being resolved slowly, one by one.”
According to The Times of Israel, the breakthrough in negotiations followed a tense meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Steven Witkoff. The report claimed Trump’s envoy pressured Netanyahu to make necessary concessions to finalize the deal before Trump’s inauguration on January 20.
Details of the Agreement
The anticipated agreement reportedly includes several key points, as outlined by Reuters:
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Prisoner Exchange:
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- Hamas will release 33 Israeli detainees in Gaza, including children, women, conscripts, older men over 50, and individuals who are injured or ill.
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- In return, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners, including those serving long sentences.
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Two-Phase Process:
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- The first phase will focus on the release of civilians and those with medical conditions.
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- The second phase, commencing on the 16th day after the agreement takes effect, will see the release of remaining detainees, including soldiers and others of military age, as well as the return of deceased individuals’ bodies.
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Israeli Withdrawal:
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- The agreement outlines a phased withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, with troops stationed near the borders for “the defense of Israeli towns and cities.”
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Philadelphi Route (Salah al-Din Corridor):
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- Security arrangements will be implemented in this southern Gaza corridor. Israel will withdraw from parts of it in the early days of the agreement.
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Northern Gaza:
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- Residents of northern Gaza will be allowed to return to their areas, with mechanisms in place to prevent the transfer of weapons to the region.
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Central Gaza:
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- Israeli forces will withdraw from the Netzarim crossing in central Gaza, and the volume of humanitarian aid entering the Strip will be significantly increased.
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Unresolved Issues
One of the most contentious and unresolved aspects of the negotiations is determining who will govern Gaza post-conflict. According to Reuters, this issue has not been addressed in the current round of talks due to its complexity and the potential risk of derailing the agreement.
