Ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas ‘closer than ever’: End of months of bloodshed could be just hours away

A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas to end the bloodshed in Gaza was almost “completed” last night, Donald Trump said.

Relatives of Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas were told in a meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu that a deal to release their loved ones and end the war could be arranged within hours.

Last night, work was underway on the ground to prepare the transfer of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, while mediators in Doha worked out the final terms.

Meanwhile, Egypt also prepared to open the Rafah crossing to allow prisoners to leave the Gaza Strip, while medical teams and hospitals in Israel prepared to receive them.

An official involved in the Qatar talks said this is the most serious negotiation since the last ceasefire in November 2023 as they entered the final round yesterday.

Mr Trump said: “My understanding is there has been a handshake and they will have it ready, and maybe by the end of the week, but it has to be done.”

Both sides have broadly agreed to an initial exchange of 33 hostages for hundreds of captured terrorists over 43 days, with three hostages released per week.

But Hamas has yet to reveal how many of these prisoners are still alive, which will affect the number of Palestinians released from custody.

The demonstrators carried photos of their relatives and banners reading “Stop the war.”

An Israeli Black Hawk military helicopter lands in northern Gaza on January 14, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas

It is the first phase of a multi-phase deal that would end with the release of all 98 hostages, the IDF’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the start of work to rebuild the devastated area.

Observers have suggested that Trump’s inauguration next Monday is being seen as an unofficial deadline.

The new president’s new Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, attended the talks and was seen as crucial in leaning on Israel in the early hours of Monday to secure a “breakthrough.”

Israel has reportedly agreed to withdraw from Gaza for the first time, saying it will do so once the last hostage is released. This was previously a major sticking point, as Hamas demanded they withdraw before any prisoners were released.

Arab officials said Mohammed Sinwar, the hardline leader of Hamas in Gaza and brother of slain former leader Yahya Sinwar, agreed in principle yesterday to the terms of the deal, the Wall Street Journal reported.

“Today we are closer to an agreement than ever before,” Qatar Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: “The ball is now in Hamas’ court. If Hamas agrees, the deal is ready to be concluded and implemented. I believe we will have a ceasefire.”

Israeli military vehicles enter the Gaza Strip on January 7, as seen from southern Israel

A Palestinian looks at a damaged residential building after an overnight Israeli attack in Deir al-Balah on January 8

Once the finer details are worked out, the plan will be submitted to the Israeli cabinet for final approval.

Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition allies Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich threatened to resign and collapse the government, labeling the “terrible deal” a “catastrophe.”

Ben-Gvir even boasted that he had repeatedly sabotaged previous ceasefire talks. The Jewish extremists want to continue the war until Hamas is completely destroyed.

But moderate opposition leader Yair Lapid has vowed to intervene and prevent the government from collapsing to seal the deal.

A source told the Telegraph: ‘Lapid will provide Netanyahu with a safety net to prevent his government from falling after a deal is struck, for an agreed period of time.

In other words, there is no excuse [not to reach an agreement].’

The families of the 98 hostages now face an agonizing wait to find out if their loved ones are alive and who will be released first.