Mediators say negotiations are at their “closest point”, with expectations of an agreement imminent.
A ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is at its “closest point”, Qatar has said.
Negotiations aimed at ending the 15-month conflict are in their final stages, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said at a news conference in Doha on Tuesday. Qatar, alongside the United States and Egypt, has been seeking to negotiate an agreement for several months.
“A draft agreement has been handed over to Hamas and Israel and major obstacles on the main controversial issues between the two sides have been overcome,” al-Ansari said.
“Current discussions in Doha are focused on finalizing the remaining details,” he continued. “Today we are on the verge of reaching an agreement.”
The spokesperson predicted that implementation of the ceasefire agreement would come “very soon after its finalization.”
“We believe that we (Qatar) have been able, through negotiations and through our partners in Egypt and the United States, to minimize a lot of the disagreements between the two sides,” al-Ansari added.
He cautioned, however, against setting expectations too high until there is an official announcement.
“We think we’re at a developed stage, we think we’re at a final stage, but obviously until there’s an announcement, there won’t be an announcement,” he said. -he declared. “Therefore, we should not be overexcited about what is happening now. But we are certainly hopeful.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent the last year trying to end the 15-month war and secure the release of dozens of prisoners captured in the Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023. Around a hundred Israelis are still captive inside the country. Gaza, although the Israeli army estimates that at least a third of them are dead.
The Israeli military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 46,000 people and injured nearly 110,000, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
What’s in the deal?
According to details leaked by Israeli media, the ceasefire agreement being worked out will be implemented in three stages.
In the first case, 33 Israeli captives held in Gaza will be released. Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for each female soldier released, and 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining civilians held captive.
The second phase will begin 16 days later and will focus on negotiations to release the remaining prisoners. The final stage will focus on long-term arrangements, including the establishment of an alternative government in Gaza and reconstruction efforts.
Reports also indicate that Israel will completely withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor – the strip of land between the borders of Gaza and Egypt – at the end of the first phase of the deal.
