Gaza Ceasefire Talks Near Completion, Palestinian Official Reveals to BBC
Negotiations to establish a ceasefire in Gaza and facilitate the exchange of hostages between Israel and Hamas are reportedly 90% finalized, according to a senior Palestinian official involved in the discussions. However, critical disagreements persist that must be resolved before an agreement can be reached.
Key Sticking Points
One of the primary issues centers on Israel’s continued military presence in the Philadelphi Corridor, a vital strip of land bordering Egypt in southern Gaza. In addition, talks in Doha have explored the possibility of creating a buffer zone several kilometers wide along the Gaza-Israel border. This area would remain under Israeli military control, according to the official.
Ceasefire Plan in Three Phases
Once these contentious matters are addressed, a three-stage ceasefire could be implemented within days.
Prisoner and Hostage Exchange: The initial phase would involve exchanging 20 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier released. The prisoners, selected from a list of approximately 400 individuals serving lengthy sentences in Israeli prisons, would likely exclude high-profile figures such as senior Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti, whose release Israel is expected to oppose. Hamas is also working to locate the remaining Israeli hostages, with 62 of the 96 still believed to be alive.
Humanitarian Aid and Civilian Return: Gazan civilians displaced to the south would gradually be allowed to return to northern areas under a framework supervised by Egypt and Qatar. Around 500 aid trucks per day would be permitted entry into Gaza.
Technocratic Governance: In the final stage, Gaza’s administration would transition to a committee of neutral technocrats supported by all Palestinian factions. This arrangement would aim to conclude the 14-month conflict.
Growing Mediation Efforts
Recent diplomatic efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have brought both parties closer to an agreement. A previous round of talks in October failed after Hamas rejected a short-term ceasefire. Now, Hamas and other Palestinian groups, including the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), express optimism about reaching a deal, provided Israel refrains from imposing additional conditions.
Background and Developments
The conflict escalated following a surprise cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in over 1,200 Israeli deaths and 251 kidnappings. Since then, more than 100 hostages have been freed through negotiations and military rescues.
As talks edge closer to a potential agreement, hopes are rising for a resolution that could end the prolonged violence and restore some measure of stability to the region.
