Gaza Cease-fire, Hostage Release Deal Reportedly Accepted by Hamas “`

According to the Associated Press, citing officials involved in the talks, Hamas has reportedly agreed to a draft agreement with Israel for a cease-fire and the release of hostages. This represents the first significant progress towards ending the over year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The proposed three-phase agreement begins with a 42-day cease-fire. During this initial phase, 33 hostages—including children, women, female soldiers, men over 50, and those classified as humanitarian cases—would be released. In return, Hamas would receive hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile detainees. An Israeli government official confirmed that “most” of the 33 hostages taken on October 7, 2023, are still alive.

An Israeli government official acknowledged the “price” of securing the hostages’ release from Hamas, but emphasized Israel’s commitment to retrieving all hostages. The official stated that Israel would not leave the Gaza Strip until all hostages return.

Phase one also includes an Israeli withdrawal from parts of northern Gaza, enabling Palestinian residents to return home. Security experts have cautioned that this could facilitate Hamas’s rebuilding efforts.

Humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza is also part of the first phase.

Details of phase two will be negotiated during phase one, but a draft agreement suggests the remaining living hostages will be released in exchange for a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. An Egyptian official reportedly told the AP that agreements for phases two and three will be finalized before the end of phase one.

An Israeli government official stated that these negotiations with Hamas represent a genuine attempt at a deal, unlike previous instances.

The official cited several factors, including recent deaths and domestic pressure on Hamas, as contributing to the current negotiating environment.

Qatari and Israeli officials expressed optimism regarding the potential for a deal to end the war.

The 15-month conflict, sparked by Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks that resulted in over 1,200 Israeli deaths, has claimed thousands of lives.

Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.