President-elect Donald Trump has described a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas as being “very close,” as the Palestinian militant group has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, The Associated Press reported citing two officials involved in the talks.
An Israeli official also said progress had been made, but the details were being finalized.
Why It Matters
Officials are rushing to reach a deal to end the war in Gaza and return the 98 hostages still held in the enclave before Trump returns to the Oval Office on January 20. Seven of the remaining hostages are U.S. citizens.
Trump said earlier in January that “all hell will break out in the Middle East” if the hostages in Gaza were not released by his inauguration. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said on Monday that the Israeli government was working with Biden and Trump officials on a ceasefire and hostage deal.
Ariel Schalit/AP
What To Know
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed ceasefire agreement, with both an Egyptian and a Hamas official verifying its authenticity.
The plan would still require final approval from the Israeli cabinet.
Qatar, a key mediator in the discussions, stated that Israel and Hamas were the “closest yet” to reaching a deal.
For the past year, the U.S, Egypt, and Qatar have worked to mediate an end to the 15-month conflict and secure the release of dozens of hostages taken during Hamas’ attack in October 2023.
The Palestinian militant group launched unprecedented attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, killing more than 1,200 people with over 250 taken as hostages into Gaza. Israel then vowed to eradicate Hamas and have since devastated the Palestinian territory.
Hamas-run health authorities say more than 46,000 people have been killed, although it does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.
Officials have voiced growing optimism that an agreement could be reached before the January 20 inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, whose Middle East envoy has joined the talks.
The phased agreement would follow a framework that was introduced by President Joe Biden in May and endorsed by the U.N. Security Council.
Israeli Strikes Kill 18 in Gaza
Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip killed at least 18 people overnight, including women and children, health officials said Tuesday.
Two strikes in the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah killed two women and their four children, who ranged in age from 1 month to 9 years old.
Another 12 people were killed in two strikes on the southern city of Khan Younis, according to the European Hospital.
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military. Israel has said it only targets militants, accusing them of hiding among civilians in shelters and tent camps for the displaced.
What People Are Saying
President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with the Newsmax network on Monday night: “We are very close to getting it done. They have to get it done. If they don’t get it done, there’s going to be a lot of trouble out there—a lot of trouble like they have never seen before. They will get it done.
“I understand…there’s been a handshake and they are getting it finished—and maybe by the end of the week.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Saturday: “The Prime Minister directed the Mossad Director, the ISA Director, Maj.-Gen. (Res) Nitzan Alon, and his Foreign Policy Adviser, Dr. Ophir Falk, to depart for Doha in order to continue advancing a deal to release our hostages.”
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, an organization formed by the loved ones of hostages, on Monday: “Every hostage must be returned home immediately and unconditionally.”
Mazen Hammad, a resident of the southern city of Khan Younis, said: “We hear that there are negotiations every day, but we see nothing…When we see it on the ground, then we believe that there is a truce.”
What Happens Next
Previous ceasefire discussions between Israel and Hamas have stalled or fallen apart before completion, but there is mounting optimism that officials can conclude an agreement in the coming days.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
