|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Officials from the U.S., Israel, and the Arab world informed CBS News that a preliminary agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages has been reached. If all final details are approved, including a vote by the Israeli government, the agreement could be implemented as soon as this weekend, according to regional and U.S. sources. This development could lead to the resolution of President Biden’s long-pursued ceasefire before he leaves office, with President-elect Donald Trump overseeing its execution.
Negotiations for the ceasefire have been taking place in Doha for several weeks, and discussions continued on Tuesday. U.S. Mideast adviser Brett McGurk has been in the region for almost a month, working on the deal alongside Steve Witkoff, Trump’s appointed special envoy for the Middle East. Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend, while Qatari officials are also assisting in finalizing the agreement.
While the Biden administration has been outlining plans for the future governance of Gaza after an Israeli withdrawal, implementation and enforcement will fall to the incoming Trump administration. U.S. officials privately acknowledge that these plans are aspirational and will depend on Trump’s leadership to guide the future of Gaza, urging both Netanyahu and Hamas to adhere to subsequent phases.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed confidence that both sides are nearing agreement, despite setbacks in previous negotiations. He noted that Israel has achieved many of its military goals in Gaza, positioning the parties to potentially finalize the deal soon.
Details of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreement
The proposed deal is structured in three phases, based on discussions with mediator sources. The first phase would see a 42-day ceasefire, during which Hamas would release 33 women, children, and elderly hostages, while Israel would free 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange. Over the first seven days of the ceasefire, Hamas would release 3 hostages, increasing to 3 per week thereafter. There would be a complete ceasefire throughout this period to allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza and facilitate infrastructure rebuilding.
The second phase involves the release of all male Israeli hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The final phase will include the return of deceased hostages and prisoners, further infrastructure reconstruction, and the opening of Gaza’s borders.
Despite continuous mediation by the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt, the talks have faced challenges, particularly over the specifics of the hostage exchanges, the Israeli military withdrawal, and the potential for a permanent ceasefire. Since the October 7, 2023, attack, Hamas and other militant groups have held around 100 hostages, while over 46,000 Palestinians have died in the ongoing conflict. Humanitarian groups continue to struggle in providing aid to Gaza, where famine risks loom as the displacement of over 2.3 million people worsens.
Click here to join us: https://t.me/+4WmHXyzra6AyMDI8
