Recent developments indicate that Hamas and Israel are currently at the closest point to a ceasefire-hostage agreement in months. According to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, negotiations are underway in Doha to finalize the details of the deal.
The spokesperson mentioned that a draft agreement has been presented to both sides, and discussions are ongoing to address minor issues related to implementation mechanisms. While a specific timeframe for an announcement is challenging to predict, it is noted that the parties are closer than ever to reaching an agreement.
However, certain sticking points remain in the negotiations. Hamas is pushing for Israel to withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border and commit to a permanent ceasefire rather than a temporary halt to military operations initiated after the October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel.
The agreement, once finalized, will not be immediately implemented but is expected to come into effect shortly after both parties reach a consensus. It is emphasized that expectations should be kept realistic and aligned with the current situation on the ground.
Furthermore, representatives from both the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration in the United States are actively involved in supporting the negotiation process to facilitate a resolution in Doha.
