GAZA CITY: Palestinian resistance groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have agreed to a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, sources close to the talks confirmed on Wednesday.
The deal marks a possible breakthrough in efforts to end the 16-month conflict in Gaza.
Two Palestinian officials said on condition of anonymity that the factions had reached consensus on the deal and had communicated their approval to mediators from Qatar, Egypt and the United States. Mediators have been working for months to negotiate an end to the violence, which has caused widespread destruction and displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Gaza.
“The factions have agreed to the proposal and informed the arbitrators of their decision,” said a source familiar with the talks. Another official confirmed the development and indicated that an official announcement could be imminent.
Despite verbal approval, key elements of the agreement remain unresolved. According to a Hamas official, the group is awaiting more details, including maps of the proposed Israeli troop withdrawal, before providing its final written response. The official, who declined to be named, added that while Hamas supports the deal in principle, more clarification is needed before formalizing its commitment.
Israeli officials have issued conflicting statements regarding progress in the talks. Earlier, an Israeli official suggested that Hamas had accepted the ceasefire terms offered by Qatari mediators. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office later denied this, saying that Hamas had not yet submitted an official response to the proposal.
The proposed agreement reportedly includes a six-week phased ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes in the northern parts of the enclave. In return, Hamas will release approximately 100 hostages, including 33 Israeli citizens, during the October 7 attack. Under this agreement, Palestinian prisoners imprisoned in Israeli prisons will also be released.
Talks have picked up pace in recent days, with officials from all sides expressing hope that a solution may be on the way. “I hope the deal will be finalized by tonight or tomorrow,” said a Palestinian negotiator involved in the talks.
Meanwhile, hostilities on Earth continue to escalate. Over the past 24 hours, Israeli airstrikes have hit dozens of locations across Gaza, killing at least 13 Palestinians, including seven civilians sheltering in a school. Local medical officials reported more casualties in airstrikes on homes in Deir al-Balah, Borij refugee camp and Rafah.
The ongoing violence has increased the urgency to reach a deal, with millions of Palestinians living in dire conditions amid constant bombardment. Displaced residents have expressed hope that a ceasefire will end the devastation.
“We just want peace. Even if our homes and schools are destroyed, we need to stop the bombardment,” said Amal Saleh, a 54-year-old resident of Gaza City, who has been involved since the conflict began. have become homeless.
As mediators push for a solution, questions remain about the governance of Gaza after the conflict. Palestinian Authority officials have signaled their intention to resume administrative control of the area, which Israel rejects and is complicated by the continued presence of Hamas.
While optimism surrounds the ceasefire talks, a history of stalemate agreements and unresolved conflicts makes the outcome uncertain. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza, however, underscores the need for an immediate and lasting solution.
