Doha negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire and Israeli hostages release are in their “final stages,” with Qatar, a key mediator, stating an agreement is “very close.”
The deal, as reported by Gaza correspondent Rushdi Abualouf, would occur in three phases, starting with the release of three hostages on the first day and Israel gradually withdrawing its troops.
Diplomatic correspondent Paul Adams highlights caution from Qatari mediators, warning that both parties could “still get lost in the details,” potentially derailing the agreement.
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The conflict began on October 7, 2023, with a Hamas attack on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken to Gaza.
In retaliation, Israel launched a military operation in Gaza, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting over 46,600 fatalities.
Optimism for a ceasefire has grown amid urgency from the impending inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump.
Former Israeli diplomat Alon Pinkas said, “This deal was there for the taking for months,” but political factors, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s calculations and Hamas’ hesitations, delayed progress.
“Now it looks as if a deal is going to be made, if not for any other reason than for Mr. Trump’s inauguration.”
Trump has intensified pressure, issuing a stern warning last week that failure to release hostages before his January 20 inauguration would lead to “all hell breaking out in the Middle East.”
Trump’s incoming Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, has held talks with Netanyahu, working alongside Biden’s Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk. The two envoys have made joint calls to Netanyahu to overcome remaining obstacles.
Pinkas remarked that Netanyahu’s critics argue he prolonged the conflict to align with Trump’s electoral victory and approach the inauguration. A source close to the negotiations told CNN that Trump’s presidency is motivating Israel to finalize a deal, with Netanyahu aiming to maintain a strong relationship with Trump.
Crediblenewsng.com
