Israel-Hamas ceasefire agreement inches closer to finalisation

Pact expected to involve Hamas releasing 33 hostages in exchange for Israel freeing up to 1,000 Palestinian detainees.

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Israel and Hamas are on the verge of finalizing a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the 15-month conflict in Gaza.

The proposed deal, mediated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt, includes the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for stopping the Israeli war on Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners.

US President Joe Biden has indicated that an agreement is near, with both the outgoing and incoming US administrations applying pressure to conclude the deal before the presidential inauguration on January 20.

The agreement is expected to involve Hamas releasing 33 hostages, including women and children, in exchange for Israel freeing up to 1,000 Palestinian detainees.

Additionally, Israel would gradually withdraw its forces from Gaza, allowing for increased humanitarian aid to the Palestinian population.

This could also help reduce tensions between Israeli and the Middle east, where the Israels war has exacerbated in the West Bank, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, and Iraq, while raising concerns about a potential full-scale war between Israel and Iran.

The Israeli war on Gaza, which began in October 2023 following Hamas attacks on southern Israel, has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian being killed and significant displacement within Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to secure the agreement, facing potential internal opposition within his government.

MGeneral Michael Kurilla, Commander of US Central Command, arrived in Israel on January 13, 2025, to engage in urgent discussions with Israeli officials amid significant progress in Gaza ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

During his visit, General Kurilla met with key Israeli defense figures, including Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant and Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi. The discussions focused on the evolving security situation in the region and the implications of the potential ceasefire agreement.

The presence of high-level Israeli officials, including the Mossad director, in the negotiations underscores the urgency and progress of the talks.

Qatar’s al-Ansari stated that while he couldn't disclose specifics, all major issues have been “resolved.” He added, “Today, we are closer to a deal than ever before.”

While optimism is high, some differences remain unresolved, and previous near-agreements have fallen through. The next 24 hours are considered crucial for potentially moving towards a final agreement.