Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, has stated that the two sides are close to reaching a deal on a truce in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
Negotiators have been working tirelessly to secure the release of approximately 240 hostages, most of whom are Israeli citizens, following their seizure on October 7th. This attack marked the deadliest assault on Israel in its history, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 people, predominantly civilians.
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Israel responded to the assault with a relentless bombing campaign and ground offensive, aiming to both dismantle Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. The conflict has taken a heavy toll, with the Hamas government in Gaza reporting over 13,300 fatalities, including thousands of children.
Mediated negotiations, primarily facilitated by Qatar, where Hamas maintains a political office and where Haniyeh is based, have been ongoing. Qatar’s Prime Minister recently stated that a deal to free some of the hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire hinges on minor practical issues.
US President Joe Biden expressed his belief that a hostage deal was close during a recent statement. When asked about the progress, he responded, “I believe so,” while crossing his fingers as a sign of hope.
According to two sources familiar with the talks, a tentative agreement has been reached, which includes a five-day truce consisting of a ceasefire on the ground and limitations on Israeli air operations over southern Gaza.
As part of the deal, between 50 and 100 prisoners held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian militant group, would be released. These individuals would include Israeli civilians and captives of various nationalities, excluding military personnel.
Additionally, the proposed agreement would result in the release of approximately 300 Palestinians from Israeli jails, including women and children.
The negotiations have reached the “endgame” stage, as stated by the White House. However, further details have not been disclosed to avoid jeopardizing the successful outcome of the talks.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has also been actively involved in addressing the humanitarian issues arising from the conflict. The ICRC’s President travelled to Qatar to meet with Hamas leader Haniyeh to discuss the armed conflict’s humanitarian impact in Israel and Gaza.
The organization continues to advocate for the urgent protection of all victims in the conflict and the alleviation of the catastrophic humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the ICRC has persistently called for the immediate release of the hostages.
As negotiations progress and a potential truce deal draws near, there is hope that an end to the violence will bring relief to the affected communities and pave the way for a more peaceful future in the region.
