According to reliable sources, Israel, Hamas, and the US are close to a deal for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for 50 women and children hostages taken in a terror attack on Israel on October 7. As part of the deal, three Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons will be released for each hostage. The prisoners are expected to include women and adolescents.
The negotiations were under consideration by Israel’s cabinet, following discussions of the country’s war cabinet and security cabinet, lasting into the early hours of Wednesday local time, concerning a four-to-five day pause in fighting. “We are making progress,” said Prime Minister Netanyahu, expressing hope for good news soon.
Despite the deal not being finalized, US officials close to the negotiations are increasingly optimistic about the release of hostages. The agreement is expected to signal the first significant pause in fighting since the conflict began. The negotiations anticipate the release of hostages of various nationalities, including American hostages, with one of the youngest American hostages expected to be released.
During the negotiations, Hamas demanded that Israel’s surveillance be suspended during the temporary ceasefire. Israel agreed to allow drones to vacate Gaza’s airspace during a specified six-hour window each day. Aside from the initial release, Hamas will pledge to gather and release any additional hostages during the pause in fighting, with the ceasefire potentially extended to further hostage releases.
While the ceasefire agreement may lead to more aid entering Gaza, President Netanyahu has stated that the war will continue once the temporary ceasefire concludes. Fuel is crucial for Hamas’ operations and the ventilation of its network of underground tunnels in Gaza, leading them to demand hundreds of trucks of aid, a request potentially granted with the hostage deal.
Israel, Hamas, and the US, with mediation from Qatar, have engaged in weeks of negotiations, with plans for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody needing approval from the Israeli government. However, far-right Israeli political parties expressed concerns, stating they would not support the hostage deal without reviewing all terms. Nonetheless, diplomatic and governmental officials, including President Biden, have expressed optimism about the talks, despite the potential for Hamas or developments in Gaza to derail an agreement.
The ongoing negotiations follow a meeting between Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, the war cabinet, and hostage families. Discussions anticipate further negotiations for the release of other categories of hostages, with the International Committee of the Red Cross expected to facilitate the release process.
The involvement of ICRC will likely verify the identities of the hostages in Gaza and the prisoners in Israel, potentially involving the transfer of hostages across borders. According to well-known Israeli peace activist Gershon Baskin, the hostages in Gaza are expected to be moved to Egypt with the assistance of the Red Cross. Once in Israel, hostages may receive immediate medical attention due to their prolonged captivity.
Senior US officials have been actively involved in securing the release of the hostages, with President Biden personally engaged in the process. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby highlighted Biden’s involvement, along with the input of top officials, including national security adviser Jake Sullivan, NSC Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, and CIA Director Bill Burns, to facilitate efforts aimed at getting the hostages released.
