Is a Gaza Ceasefire Deal Coming Soon? Hostage Release and Prisoner Exchange In The Works
By Malak Khaled
Negotiators in Doha are on the brink of finalizing a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This development comes after months of intermittent talks and a recent breakthrough during Monday meetings attended by U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump’s envoys.
Negotiations are expected to be finalized in a matter of days. Officials express cautious optimism about ending the 15-month genocide that has devastated Gaza and destabilized the region.
Key Elements of the Ceasefire Deal
Hostage Release
Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase, including women, children, and men over 50.
Prisoner Exchange
Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, with priority given to those who have served 15 years or more.
Palestinian prisoners held responsible for killing Israelis will be sent to Gaza or abroad.
Israeli Military Presence
Israeli forces will maintain positions along the Philadelphi Corridor during the initial phase of the agreement.
A buffer zone of 800 meters will be established along Gaza’s borders. Discussions about the eventual size of the buffer zone are ongoing, with Hamas advocating for a return to the pre-October 7 dimensions of 300–500 meters.
Timeline of the Initial Phase
The duration of the first phase remains contested, with Reuters reporting it will last 60 days, while other sources suggest it will span 42 days. Mediators are working to clarify this timeline as final negotiations continue.
Humanitarian and Security Provisions
Humanitarian aid will be allowed to flow into Gaza, easing the crisis faced by its displaced and vulnerable population.
Residents displaced from northern Gaza will be permitted to return on foot under international monitoring.
Continued Genocide Amid Negotiations
Despite the progress with the ceasefire deal, genocide persists in Gaza. Heavy shelling has been reported in Khan Yunis and the Gaza Strip. 46,584 people have been killed since the genocide began, according to Palestinian health officials, and much of Gaza’s population remains displaced.
Next Steps and Challenges
Final rounds of negotiations are ongoing in Doha to resolve the remaining points of contention.
Talks for the second and third phases, aimed at ending the genocide, are expected to begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire implementation.
Mediators are pressing both sides to address unresolved issues, including buffer zone dimensions and the placement of released prisoners.
As negotiations in Doha move forward, the emerging ceasefire deal represents a potential turning point in the Gaza genocide.
Although significant progress has been made, the complexities of implementation and the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza underscore the challenges that remain. Both sides, along with international mediators, will need to navigate these obstacles to ensure that the agreement brings lasting relief.
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