Hamas accepts draft agreement for hostage release and Gaza ceasefire deal, say officials

Israel and Palestinian militant group at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal that would bring them a step closer to ending the war, says mediator Qatar

Cairo: Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said on Tuesday.

Mediator Qatar said Israel and the Palestinian militant group were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal that would bring them a step closer to ending the war. An Israeli official said progress has been made, but the details are being finalized. All the officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the talks.

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“I believe we will get a ceasefire,” US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said during a speech on Tuesday, asserting it was up to Hamas.

The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent the past year trying to mediate an end the 15-month war and secure the release of dozens of hostages captured in Hamas’ Oct 7, 2023, attack that triggered it. Nearly 100 people are still captive inside Gaza, and the military believes at least a third are dead.

The plan would need approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet and then his full Cabinet. Both are dominated by Netanyahu allies and are likely to approve any proposal he presents.

Officials have have expressed optimism before, only for negotiations to stall. But they are now suggesting that they can conclude an agreement ahead of the Jan 20 inauguration of US President-elect Donald Trump, whose Mideast envoy has joined the negotiations.

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a weekly briefing Tuesday that the negotiations were productive: “Today, we are at the closest point ever to having a deal.”Hamas said in a statement that negotiations had reached their “final stage.”

Israeli strikes across Gaza overnight and into Tuesday killed at least 18 Palestinians, including two women and four children, according to local health officials, who said one woman was pregnant and the baby died as well. There was no immediate comment from the Israeli military.