Negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reached a critical juncture, with a potential ceasefire deal emerging that could see the release of 33 hostages. This breakthrough occurred late Sunday night during a meeting in Doha, Qatar, led by David Barnea, the Director of Israel's Mossad intelligence agency. The proposed agreement aims to halt fighting, enhance security for Israel, and facilitate significant humanitarian aid to Palestinians who have endured immense suffering during the ongoing conflict.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, has resulted in substantial casualties on both sides. Reports indicate that over 100,000 Palestinians have been injured, and the Israeli military has claimed the lives of at least 46,565 Palestinians in Gaza. Amid this turmoil, the hostages held by Hamas remain a pressing concern for many families in Israel. It is believed that most of the 33 hostages are alive, although some bodies of deceased hostages would also be part of the initial phase of the deal.
The proposed ceasefire is structured in phases. The first phase includes the release of the 33 hostages, while further negotiations to end the war would commence on the 16th day following the implementation of the deal. However, significant disagreements remain regarding the size of the buffer zone between Israel and Gaza. Hamas seeks to revert this zone to its pre-war width of 300-500 meters from the border line. In contrast, Israel is requesting a buffer zone of 2,000 meters.
Israeli forces are expected to maintain a presence along the Philadelphi Corridor during this first phase. Additionally, while Israel would uphold a buffer zone inside Gaza along its border, specific dimensions of this zone have yet to be disclosed. The release of Palestinian prisoners deemed responsible for the deaths of Israelis would not occur within the West Bank but instead be directed to Gaza or abroad.
Before the deal can proceed, it must gain approval from both the Israeli security cabinet and the full government cabinet. Moreover, the Israeli government is required to allow time for opponents of the agreement to present their cases before the Supreme Court.
“We continue to trust in those working tirelessly to bring our loved ones home, and we will not rest until the last hostage returns.”
— The Hostages and Missing Families Forum
U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the humanitarian aspect of the agreement, stating, “The deal we have structured would free the hostages, halt the fighting, provide security to Israel, and allow us to significantly surge humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians who suffered terribly in this war that Hamas started. They have been through hell.”
Despite these hopeful developments, experts warn that any ceasefire could be precarious. Avi Melamed, a former Israeli intelligence official, noted that aspects of the agreement could potentially lead to renewed conflict. “That part is very sensitive because it could potentially have the seeds that result in – at some point for whatever reason – reignition or flares of fighting in Gaza. It’s not to say necessarily that that will happen, but it’s something that could happen and we should take it into consideration,” he cautioned.
Reports from Arab officials indicate that mediators in Doha are still awaiting official responses from both sides regarding the ceasefire deal. A senior Israeli official stated there is optimism surrounding a potential agreement but added that it remains unclear whether a resolution is imminent.
“There is talk of an agreement in the near future – it is impossible to say whether it is a matter of hours or days,”
— A senior Israeli official
