Negotiations between Israeli officials and Hamas have reportedly reached a breakthrough, paving the way for a large-scale prisoner exchange and a fragile ceasefire that will lead to the release of 33 hostages.
According to emerging reports, Hamas has agreed to release them, while Israel is set to withdraw troops from parts of Gaza, facilitate humanitarian aid and free thousands of Palestinian prisoners in return.
The monumental deal has some very specific numbers attached to it, which will see Israel release 50 prisoners for every Israeli female soldier held by Hamas.
Israel will also release 30 children and women held in custody for every hostage Hamas releases.
The first phase also includes the release of approximately 200 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, in addition to 1,000 additional prisoners – including all women, children and sick prisoners currently held in Israeli custody.
The deal, which was reportedly reached with the help of Qatar, Egypt and Turkey, represents a significant concession from both sides.
While Israel has pushed for the acceptance of more hostages, including wounded soldiers, Hamas has taken advantage of the situation to secure the release of prisoners considered valuable by Israeli authorities.
For inmates sentenced to life imprisonment, the stakes are even higher. Reports indicate that many could face deportation to Qatar, Egypt or Turkey to reduce potential security risks.
Negotiations between Israeli officials and Hamas have reportedly reached a breakthrough, paving the way for a large-scale prisoner exchange and a fragile ceasefire that will lead to the release of 33 hostages.
A girl watches as Mohammad Eid mourns his cousin Dima, along with her uncle and grandfather, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, during their funeral in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sunday
Israeli soldiers and relatives carry the flag-draped coffin of Sergeant Yahav Maayan, who died in combat in the Gaza Strip, during his burial at a military cemetery in Modiin, Israel on Sunday
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden discussed efforts to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.
Talks brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar over the past year have repeatedly stalled at times when they appeared close to an agreement, but in recent days U.S. officials have expressed hope that an agreement would be reached.
Sunday’s call between Biden and Netanyahu came as the head of Israel’s Mossad foreign intelligence service, David Barnea, and Biden’s top Middle East adviser, Brett McGurk, were both in the Qatari capital Doha.
Barnea’s presence, confirmed by Netanyahu’s office, meant that senior Israeli officials who had to sign an agreement were involved in the talks.
The White House and Netanyahu’s office both confirmed the phone call between the two leaders without providing details.
So far, only one short ceasefire has been reached in the fifteen months of the war, and that was in the first weeks of the fighting.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week that a deal was “very close” and that he hoped to finalize it before handing over diplomacy to the new Trump administration.
So far, Netanyahu has indicated he has only committed to the first phase of a ceasefire, which would see a partial release of hostages in exchange for a weeks-long halt to fighting.
A protester holds a sign calling on newly-elected US President Donald Trump to intervene during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza since October 2023.
Hundreds of people gathered on Saturday to demonstrate for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage swap deal in West Jerusalem. Israeli police intervened against the demonstrators and removed the domino-shaped statues that symbolized the collapse of the Israeli government
Protesters gather with signs during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza, outside the Israeli Ministry of Defense headquarters.
Protesters hold photos of hostages during a demonstration calling for a hostage deal for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel
Palestinians leave the area after the Israeli army launched an attack on two buildings in the Bureij camp, located in the central Gaza Strip, on Monday
Gali and Nir, the parents of Israeli soldier Sergeant Yahav Maayan who died fighting in the Gaza Strip, react next to his grave during his burial at a military cemetery in Modiin
Nir, the father of Israeli soldier Sergeant Yahav Maayan who died in combat in the Gaza Strip, reacts next to his son’s grave
Hamas has pushed for a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the largely devastated area, but Netanyahu has urged destroying Hamas’ ability to fight in Gaza.
Some topics from the conversations included which hostages would be released in the first part of a phased ceasefire, which Palestinian prisoners would be released and the extent of any withdrawal of Israeli forces from population centers in Gaza.
The Israeli campaign in Gaza has cost the lives of more than 46,000 Palestinians, the majority of whom are women and children.
The Israeli campaign was triggered by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, in which militants killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped about 250 others.
Families of the approximately 100 hostages still held in Gaza are urging Netanyahu to strike a deal to bring their loved ones home.
On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden discussed efforts to reach an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week. (archive photo from July 2024)
Mohammad Eid carries the body of one of his three relatives killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday as they prepare for the funeral in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on Sunday
On Sunday evening, Israelis gathered again in the city of Tel Aviv, where photos of hostages were displayed.
In Gaza, Palestinians tempered their hopes for an end to Israel’s campaign, which has devastated much of the territory and driven more than 80 percent of its 2.3 million people from their homes.
“We hear every day that negotiations are taking place, but we see nothing,” said Mazen Hammad, a resident of the southern city of Khan Younis.
“When we see it on the ground, we believe there is a ceasefire.”