
In a significant development, Hamas has preliminarily accepted a U.S.-backed proposal for a phased cease-fire in Gaza. This decision marks a crucial shift as Hamas drops its earlier demand that Israel must commit to a complete end to the war upfront. The proposal, supported by U.S. mediators, aims to bring the first pause in fighting since November, following months of devastating conflict that began with a Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
The phased cease-fire deal begins with a “full and complete” six-week cease-fire. During this period, older, sick, and female hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, facilitating the return of displaced people to their homes in northern Gaza. Negotiations for the second phase will focus on the release of remaining hostages, including civilians and soldiers, with further prisoner exchanges expected.Despite the progress, Hamas seeks written guarantees from mediators to ensure ongoing negotiations towards a permanent cease-fire once the initial phase is implemented. A Hamas representative indicated that the group has received verbal commitments from mediators, which now need to be formalized in writing.The conflict, triggered by a Hamas assault on southern Israel that resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the abduction of 250 hostages, has led to a catastrophic humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The Israeli military offensive in response has killed over 38,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and displaced hundreds of thousands, pushing the region to the brink of famine.Aid access has been severely restricted, but the proposed cease-fire deal would allow approximately 600 trucks of humanitarian aid to enter Gaza daily, including 50 fuel trucks, with a significant portion directed to the hard-hit northern areas.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has yet to publicly comment on the proposal, though his office confirmed ongoing mediation efforts involving the Mossad spy agency and Qatar. The families of hostages have expressed cautious optimism, urging Netanyahu not to thwart the potential agreement.As negotiations continue, both sides remain wary of the other’s commitment to the cease-fire and the release of all hostages. The international community watches closely, hoping this development may finally lead to sustained peace and reconstruction in Gaza.
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