Israeli and Hamas negotiators have agreed to a ceasefire and hostage release in the Gaza Strip, officials said Wednesday, bringing more than a year of war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed much of the area to a close. There are growing hopes that it may end. of an enclave.
Two senior Israeli officials said the deal required formal ratification by the Israeli cabinet and government. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that many details of the deal remain unresolved but are expected to be resolved Wednesday night.
A ceasefire would take effect immediately, according to White House officials. The first phase lasts six weeks, during which hostage release begins. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitive nature of the deal.
A ceasefire would allow the release of Israeli hostages held in the Gaza Strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israel. About 100 hostages are believed to still be in Gaza, but Israeli authorities believe about 35 of them have died.
Hamas official Bassem Naim confirmed the deal, but the Palestinian militant group has yet to issue a formal statement.
President-elect Donald J. Trump also announced that an agreement had been reached regarding the hostages, writing on social media that they “will be released soon.” Trump has threatened severe consequences if Israel and Hamas do not reach a deal by his inauguration on January 20, a move some officials credited with helping negotiations progress. .
Near-constant fighting in Gaza has taken a serious toll on Hamas, with many military commanders killed, including longtime Gaza leader Yahya Sinwar, who was killed by Israeli forces last fall. .
Neither Israel nor Hamas has publicly supported the deal, but Palestinian groups announced on Tuesday that negotiations had entered the “final stage” and Israel’s foreign minister left the country early on Wednesday night to take part in ministerial talks. He said he would return to his home country. hostages.
Officials said there had been a last-minute dispute over the border between Egypt and Gaza, which is currently controlled by Israeli forces, leading to a deal.
In order to implement the agreement, Hamas’s negotiating team, at talks in Doha, Qatar, will need to obtain consent from Hamas commanders in the Gaza Strip, including Mohammad Sinwar, the brother of the commander killed by Israel. there were.
Here’s what else you need to know:
What’s in the deal: Officials familiar with the talks said the Gaza ceasefire agreement is largely similar to the three-phase framework President Biden unveiled in late May. Under that May proposal, Israel and Hamas would first observe a six-week ceasefire in which Hamas would release women, elderly and sick hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. 600 trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies will enter the area. Every day in Gaza.
Right-wing opposition: In Israel, some hard-line members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have also spoken out against the deal. But on Wednesday, Mr Searle said he believed a majority would sign the deal once it was approved by cabinet.
Hostage negotiations: The agreement is a months-long effort to end the Gaza war, which began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. Submitted after shuttle diplomacy. At least 45,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched military operations in response to the October 2023 attack, according to Gaza health officials.
Abu Bakr Bashir and Gabby Sobelman contributed reporting.
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