ROME (ITALPRESS/MNA) – Israeli officials have told their country’s media that a hostage deal is close, pending approval from Hamas; the next few days will be considered “crucial”. Israeli officials said there was a breakthrough overnight, with a potential ceasefire deal for the hostages apparently close if approved by Hamas.
Details of a potential ceasefire deal for the hostages have been agreed, with mediators awaiting final approval from the Palestinian terror group, Channel 12 news reports. The news channel said the development is “dramatic” and that its account has been approved by those tasked to review the agreement. According to Channel 12, the proposal is similar to the three-stage deal discussed last May. The talks largely revolved around a proposed three-phase deal in which “humanitarian” cases, including women, children, men over 50 and those seriously ill would be released first.
Then, on the 16th day of the ceasefire, talks will begin to secure the release of the military-age men, followed by a third phase that will see discussions on governance and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
An official involved in the negotiations in Doha told Israel Army Radio: “There is cautious progress; it seems like the direction is positive.”
An Israeli official told Channel 12 that “if Hamas responds soon, all the details can be finalized within a few days.”
The Qatari mediator has handed Israel and Hamas a “final” draft of a ceasefire and hostage release agreement designed to end the war in Gaza, an official briefed on the negotiations told al Jazeera TV.
A breakthrough was reached in Doha after midnight following talks between Israel’s negotiating team, US President-elect Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy and Qatar’s prime minister, the official said.
94 of the 251 hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 are still in Gaza, including the bodies of at least 34 confirmed dead by the IDF. Hamas released 105 civilians during a week-long truce in late November, and four hostages were released before that.
The Palestinian group Hamas confirmed that progress has been made towards a ceasefire deal including the release of the hostages. “We renew our commitment to our steadfast and patient people and our heroic prisoners in prisons, and affirm that their freedom is near,” the group said.
The statement comes after a breakthrough was apparently reached in talks in Doha overnight. A Qatari official confirmed that Israel and Hamas had both received a “final” draft of the proposal, although an Israeli official later denied the claim. A potential deal is expected to see hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including those held on terrorism charges, released to secure the freedom of hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
– Photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
