A Gaza ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is imminent according to multiple reports today.
Talks between the two sides are in their “final stages” according to the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who says they’re awaiting a final word from the Palestinian group about whether they agree to the terms.
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“It’s closer than it’s ever been before,” Blinken said. “We await final word from Hamas on its acceptance, and until we get that word, we’ll remain on the brink.”
This Gaza ceasefire deal would be implemented in three phases. The first of which would see at least 33 Israeli hostages freed, and Palestinian prisoners released from detention in Israel.
The Israeli military would begin withdrawing from population centres during the first phase but would remain along the Gaza-Egypt border.
The second phase is intended to end the war, but Israel has not committed to a full withdrawal of troops at this stage.
Negotiations to do that would start on the 16th day of the first phase and would also include discussions about the third and final stage of the ceasefire deal.
There hasn’t been any significant pause in the fighting or formal release of hostages since November of 2023. Some have been freed by the IDF or managed to escape.
More than 1200 Israelis were killed on October 7, while the death toll in Gaza since Israel launched its attack is over 46 thousand people.
Joe Biden and Donald Trump’s offices have taken credit for the progress of these talks.
Trump said if Israel’s hostages aren’t freed before he takes the White House, “all hell will break out in the Middle East”.
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