Gaza ceasefire deal in ‘final stage’: Qatar | news
Mediators say talks are at their ‘closest point’ with hopes of an imminent deal.
Qatar has said the ceasefire in Israel and the war between Hamas in Gaza is at its “closest point” ever.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid al-Ansari told a news conference in Doha on Tuesday that talks to end the 15-month conflict were in their final stages. Qatar, along with the United States and Egypt, has been seeking to soften a deal for several months.
“A draft agreement has been submitted to both Hamas and Israel and addresses major obstacles on key contentious issues between the two sides,” Ansari said.
He added, “Current discussions in Doha focus on finalizing the remaining details.” “Today, we are the closest we have ever been to an agreement.”
The spokesman predicted that implementation of the ceasefire agreement would take place “soon after it is finalized”.
“We believe that we (Qatar) through dialogue and through our partners in Egypt and the United States, were able to reduce a lot of the disagreements between the two sides,” Ansari said.
However, he cautioned against having too many expectations until a formal announcement is made.
“We believe we’re in the developing phase, we believe we’re in the final phase, but obviously, there won’t be an announcement until there’s an announcement,” he said. “So, we should not get too excited about what is happening right now. But of course, we are hopeful.”
The US, Egypt and Qatar have spent the last year brokering an end to the 15-month war and securing the release of dozens of captives captured during the Hamas-led offensive on October 7, 2023. About 100 Israelis are still held captive in Gaza, although the Israeli military believes at least a third of them have been killed.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, Israeli military bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 46,000 people and injured nearly 110,000.
What’s in the deal?
According to details leaked by Israeli media, the ceasefire agreement will be implemented in three phases.
First, 33 Israeli prisoners 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, focusing on negotiations for the release of the remaining prisoners. The final phase will discuss long-term arrangements, including an alternative government and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Reports also say Israel will completely withdraw from the Philadelphia Corridor – the strip of land between the Gaza and Egyptian borders – at the end of the first phase of the deal.
