Hamas accepts Gaza ceasefire draft, hostage release in final stages of negotiations
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A survivor of Israel's bombardment of Gaza makes her way through the rubble of the al-Zahra neighborhood on October 19, 2023. (Photo: Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu)
Hamas has reportedly agreed to a draft ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a plan for the release of hostages amid its ongoing conflict with Israel since October 2023, according to officials involved in the discussions.
The breakthrough follows marathon negotiations mediated by the United States and Qatar, with final details being ironed out.
Negotiators in Qatar indicated that Israel and Hamas are closer than ever to finalising the agreement. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this sentiment on Tuesday, stating that the ceasefire deal is "right on the brink" and could be finalised within hours or days. Qatar's foreign ministry also confirmed progress, noting that a proposed text has been presented to both sides for review.
The draft agreement outlines several critical components.
Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages within the first week of the deal. Further negotiations will focus on releasing the remaining hostages and repatriating the bodies of deceased captives. Israeli authorities estimate that 94 hostages were taken during the October 7, 2023, attack, with at least 34 confirmed dead.
Israeli forces would implement a phased withdrawal, maintaining a defensive presence along the border while vacating key areas like the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza. Security arrangements would also be established along Gaza's southern Philadelphi corridor.
Palestinian militants convicted of murder or deadly attacks may be released, with numbers contingent on the count of living hostages. However, prisoners would not be transferred to the West Bank, and Hamas fighters involved in the October 7 attack would remain detained.
A significant increase in humanitarian assistance to Gaza is planned, addressing the severe crisis highlighted by international organizations such as the United Nations. Unarmed residents of northern Gaza would be permitted to return under a monitored mechanism ensuring no weapons are transported into the area.
Discussions about Gaza's governance post-conflict remain unresolved, as the issue is considered too complex to address within the current framework. Israel has firmly rejected any role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in Gaza's administration, proposing instead to retain security control. Meanwhile, the international community has emphasised the need for Palestinian-led governance, though efforts to identify viable alternatives have yet to succeed.