Doha, January 15, 2025: Negotiators from Israel and Hamas are making a last-ditch effort in Doha to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, with multiple parties expressing optimism that a deal is near.
Reports on Wednesday suggested a breakthrough, with unnamed Israeli officials claiming that Hamas had accepted the latest proposal mediated by Qatar, the U.S., and Egypt. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office promptly denied the reports, and Hamas has yet to issue an official statement.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced Tuesday night that negotiations were “on the brink” of a deal, pending confirmation from Hamas. However, a senior Hamas official later told Reuters that they had not yet responded to the draft as Israel had failed to provide maps detailing troop withdrawals from Gaza. Israel’s Haaretz newspaper denied this claim.
The proposed agreement includes a three-phase plan:
- Initial Phase: A six-week ceasefire begins, during which Hamas will release three hostages on the first day, and Israel will start withdrawing troops from populated areas. More hostages will be released in the following weeks, alongside the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. Israel expects 33 hostages to be freed in the initial phase and plans to release an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
- Second Phase: After two weeks, talks will commence on releasing remaining hostages, completing troop withdrawals, and establishing long-term peace.
- Final Phase: A sustainable calm is envisioned, supported by international oversight.
Qatar’s foreign ministry stated on Tuesday that no major obstacles remain, though even minor details could derail progress.
The ceasefire talks follow Israel’s military response to Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on southern Israel, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages. Gaza’s health ministry reports over 46,700 fatalities since the conflict began, with widespread displacement and critical shortages of essentials.
Relatives of hostages in Israel are urging the government to secure their release, while Palestinians in Gaza express hope for an end to the devastating 15-month war.
Despite ongoing negotiations, hostilities continue. Overnight Israeli airstrikes targeted over 50 locations, reportedly killing 62 people, including 11 in a strike on a home in Deir al-Balah and seven in a school sheltering displaced families. The Israeli military claimed it was targeting Hamas operatives and accused the group of using civilian sites for military purposes.
As both sides grapple with the immense toll of the conflict, negotiators are racing to finalize a deal that could bring a long-awaited respite for millions.
