Syrian jihadist leader discusses future with RussiaMediators convened in Doha on Tuesday, raising hopes that ceasefire talks for Gaza are nearing a resolution following reports of progress in overnight discussions.
Reports from Israeli media and Doha suggest the proposed agreement includes the initial release of 33 Israeli hostages—children, women, elderly, and the sick—and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. This would coincide with a partial Israeli military withdrawal over a 60-day first phase.
After 16 days, a second phase of negotiations would commence, focusing on the release of the remaining 61 hostages, including military-age men, and the repatriation of deceased individuals. The Israeli military is expected to complete its withdrawal during this phase.
U.S. envoys from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration joined representatives from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar for what has been described as the “final round” of talks. However, optimism remains cautious due to past setbacks and political opposition within Israel.
Key coalition members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government, including Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, continue to oppose the ceasefire agreement. Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, another coalition leader, criticized the deal, labeling it a threat to national security and calling it a “surrender” agreement.
Progress was reported in Doha, with Hamas allegedly accepting the draft agreement, and Qatari officials describing the negotiations as nearing a conclusion. An Israeli official confirmed progress, but final details remain unresolved. The most vulnerable aspect of the agreement is the transition from the first to the second phase, with concerns from hostage families that further negotiations could falter, leaving soldiers and young men in captivity.
Outgoing President Joe Biden expressed optimism about a potential breakthrough during his final days in office, while incoming President Donald Trump has urged an end to hostilities before his inauguration on January 20. The conflict, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack that killed 1,200 Israelis and captured 250, has resulted in an estimated 46,645 Palestinian deaths during Israel’s military response, according to UN-accepted figures from Gaza health authorities.
