WORLD

Hamas accepts draft agreement of Gaza ceasefire: Officials

Wednesday, 15 Jan, 2025
A school-turned-shelter home in Khan Younis. A ceasefire would bring a pause to the violence in Gaza where around 90 per cent of the population has been displaced. (Photo courtesy: X@UNRWA)

New York: Militant group Hamas has reportedly accepted a draft agreement of ceasefire in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing hostilities with Israel since October 2023, two officials involved in the talks, the Associated Press news agency reported. The United States and Qatar’s mediators said that Israel and the Palestine-based Hamas are at the closest point in signing the agreement and ending the 15-month-long conflict.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, during a speech this week, said: “I believe we will get a ceasefire. It’s right on the brink. It’s closer than it’s ever been before”. The United States, Egypt and Qatar have been involved in finalizing a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas since last year and securing the release of hostages captured during Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which started the offensive. As per reports, around 100 hostages are still captive in Gaza.

The landmark deal - based on a blueprint laid down by US President Joe Biden and supported by the United Nations Security Council - is anticipated to unfold in three phases, beginning with the release of 33 Israeli captives held in Gaza. In exchange, Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier released and 30 prisoners for each civilian.

Over 2.2 million people in Gaza are closely following the “positive” news from Qatar, which suggests that both Hamas and Israel are nearing an agreement on a ceasefire. A deal would bring a pause to the violence in Gaza where around 90 per cent of the population has been displaced, with many at risk of famine. Israel’s offensive has killed over 46,000 people in Palestine, more than half of them women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.