Negotiators to meet again in Doha on Tuesday to finalise a ceasefire deal, promising hostage releases and troop withdrawals
After months of fluctuating negotiations, a breakthrough in ceasefire talks has brought the warring sides in Gaza closer to ending the devastating conflict. On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that a ceasefire and hostage release deal is “on the brink” of fruition, following a critical midnight breakthrough in Doha, Qatar. Both U.S. President Biden’s outgoing administration and President-elect Donald Trump’s team participated in the negotiations, reflecting the bipartisan support for peace efforts.
The deal, presented in a final draft by Qatar, includes provisions for the release of Israeli hostages, a halt to fighting, and increased humanitarian aid to Palestinians suffering from the ongoing violence. The talks have already witnessed agreement in principle on key issues such as the release of up to 33 Israeli hostages and a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The ceasefire proposal, which both Israel and Hamas appear to be gravitating toward, aims to offer a step-by-step resolution to the conflict. The initial stage would see the release of hostages, including children, women, elderly men, and the sick. After a brief ceasefire of 16 days, further talks will be held to negotiate the return of other hostages and the recovery of the bodies of those who have died in captivity.
However, challenges remain. While Israel is committed to securing its borders and defending its towns, the ceasefire will not involve a complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. The deal envisions security arrangements along the southern Gaza edge and the creation of a zone for unarmed Palestinians to return. The phased approach will allow for de-escalation without jeopardizing Israel’s security.
For Hamas, the release of Palestinian prisoners, including militants involved in attacks against Israel, will be a central feature of the deal. However, no detainees linked to the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel will be released, a critical point in the ongoing discussions.
Israel launched its assault in Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli towns in October 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages. Since then, over 46,000 people have died in Gaza, according to Palestinian officials. The conflict has devastated the region, with much of Gaza laid to waste and its civilian population displaced.
The deadline for reaching an agreement looms, as U.S. officials and Israeli negotiators push to finalise the ceasefire before President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20. Trump, a staunch advocate for a swift resolution, has warned that there would be “hell to pay” unless the hostages are freed prior to his swearing-in.
As the peace talks near a resolution, the international community remains hopeful that this agreement could mark the beginning of the end of the Gaza conflict. Still, the complexities of the negotiations suggest that the final deal could take several more days to close.