End of 15-Month Israel-Hamas War in Sight
Attention on Possible Agreement Before Trump’s Inauguration
33 Hostages and 1,000 Prisoners to Be Released
Israeli Far-Right Opposition Remains Key Hurdle as Netanyahu Seeks Support
Ceasefire negotiations between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas in the Gaza Strip have entered their final stage. There are expectations that an agreement to end the 15-month-long war could be reached as early as the 14th (local time).
Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas armed forces, Palestinian residents are inspecting the destruction after an Israeli airstrike hit a house in the Shuja'iyya area of northern Gaza Strip on the 4th. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
AFP reported, citing sources, that the ceasefire talks held in Doha, Qatar, with the participation of the head of Israeli intelligence, a U.S. administration envoy, and the Qatari Prime Minister, have entered the final stage. The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the agreement draft has been delivered to both sides and the specific details are being finalized.
The current negotiation proposal is a "phased ceasefire plan," which includes a temporary ceasefire for 42 days in the first phase along with Hamas releasing 33 Israeli hostages. In return, Israel will release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. During this period, the Israeli military will withdraw from densely populated areas of the Gaza Strip, and detailed discussions for the second phase of the ceasefire will continue.
Jake Sullivan, U.S. National Security Advisor, said, "We are close to reaching an agreement, and it could be finalized this week." The Biden administration is working busily to achieve a ceasefire within the remaining term of less than a week. President Joe Biden expressed optimism the day before, saying, "The proposal I concretized months ago in the war between Israel and Hamas is finally showing signs of becoming a reality."
Amid the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, on the 14th, a man is inspecting a vehicle destroyed in the bombing debris on Hala Street in Gaza City. Photo by AFP Yonhap News
On the same day, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump also said, "We are very close to an agreement," adding, "Maybe it will be finalized by the end of this week." Trump, who will be inaugurated on the 20th, has been pressuring for an end to the conflict around his October election victory last year.
Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar is reported to have expressed his principle agreement to the terms of the deal. However, opposition from far-right ministers in the Israeli cabinet remains the final variable, and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly working to persuade them.
The war, which began on October 7, 2023, with Hamas's attack on Israel, has resulted in about 1,200 deaths and 251 kidnappings in Israel. In the Gaza Strip, 46,645 Palestinian residents have died and 110,012 have been injured. If the ceasefire negotiations are finalized, the war will end after 465 days.
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