Israel and Hamas are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, according to reports
Israel and Hamas are reportedly close to reaching a ceasefire agreement, with the potential for the release of hostages in the near future, according to reports by RT and CBS News that reference US and regional officials. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Israel and Hamas are approaching an agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, with the potential to conclude a devastating 15-month conflict. According to various media outlets, including CBS News, key breakthroughs have been made in recent discussions, citing sources from the US, Israel, and Arab nations.
Mediators are awaiting responses from both sides, as reported by a source familiar with the situation speaking to RT.
The implementation of the agreement could start by the weekend, and both parties have begun preparing public statements to announce their success, CBS News conveyed on Tuesday.
The proposed framework involves a 42-day truce, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, and the reciprocal exchange of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, as detailed by CBS News on Monday. If the Israeli government votes to ratify the agreement soon, the process could begin within a matter of days, potentially achieving President Joe Biden’s long-sought ceasefire accord, with incoming President-elect Donald Trump set to oversee its execution.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed the urgency of the situation on Monday, stating: “We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week.”
The conflict, which erupted in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Qatar has reportedly pressured Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar to accept the terms, while Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has encouraged the Israeli delegation to proceed similarly, according to the Associated Press on Monday. Additionally, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad participated in the discussions in Doha, according to RT.
Turkish media also indicated that intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin had engaged with Hamas to facilitate the agreement.
Despite the mediation efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the negotiations have encountered multiple delays, largely due to disagreements over key issues such as the details surrounding the hostage and prisoner exchanges, the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals, and the question of whether the ceasefire would be permanent.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
Mediators are awaiting responses from both sides, as reported by a source familiar with the situation speaking to RT.
The implementation of the agreement could start by the weekend, and both parties have begun preparing public statements to announce their success, CBS News conveyed on Tuesday.
The proposed framework involves a 42-day truce, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, and the reciprocal exchange of Palestinian prisoners by Israel, as detailed by CBS News on Monday. If the Israeli government votes to ratify the agreement soon, the process could begin within a matter of days, potentially achieving President Joe Biden’s long-sought ceasefire accord, with incoming President-elect Donald Trump set to oversee its execution.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan stressed the urgency of the situation on Monday, stating: “We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week.”
The conflict, which erupted in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Qatar has reportedly pressured Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar to accept the terms, while Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff has encouraged the Israeli delegation to proceed similarly, according to the Associated Press on Monday. Additionally, Egypt’s intelligence chief Hassan Mahmoud Rashad participated in the discussions in Doha, according to RT.
Turkish media also indicated that intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin had engaged with Hamas to facilitate the agreement.
Despite the mediation efforts of the US, Qatar, and Egypt, the negotiations have encountered multiple delays, largely due to disagreements over key issues such as the details surrounding the hostage and prisoner exchanges, the timeline for Israeli troop withdrawals, and the question of whether the ceasefire would be permanent.
Lucas Dupont contributed to this report for TROIB News
