A senior US administration official has stated that a potential hostage and ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is 90% complete, but there are still disputes over the exchange of prisoners for hostages and the redeployment of Israeli forces in Gaza. The negotiations have been ongoing for months, with the involvement of US officials, Qatar, and Egypt. Following the recent killings of six hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, the negotiations have taken on new urgency.
The official provided details on key elements of the negotiations, despite the US government’s stance of not negotiating in public. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed doubt about his willingness to accept a deal, despite claims that he had agreed to a “bridging proposal.” The agreement being discussed does not mention the length of the Egypt-Gaza border known as the Philadelphi Corridor, which Netanyahu has emphasized as vital to Israeli security.
Netanyahu has argued for maintaining permanent control of the Philadelphi Corridor, stating that it is essential to achieving the goals of destroying Hamas’ military capabilities, freeing hostages, and ensuring that Gaza does not pose a threat to Israel. The official involved in the negotiations believes that Netanyahu’s public statements on Philadelphi have not been helpful and that taking concrete positions in the middle of negotiations could hinder progress.
According to the agreement being considered, Israel Defense Forces are expected to withdraw from densely populated areas in a first phase and withdraw entirely from Gaza in a second phase. The recent killing of six hostages by Hamas has impacted the ongoing negotiations and raised doubts about Hamas’s willingness to reach a deal. Despite the challenges, American officials view the proposed agreement as the best chance to secure the hostages’ release and end the conflict.
The remaining issues to be resolved in the negotiations include the prisoner exchange and the redeployment of Israeli forces. The current deal on the table involves the release of around 800 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel in exchange for the remaining female, elderly, and sick or wounded hostages. Hamas has been described as a frustrating negotiating partner on this issue, and progress has been difficult without their engagement.
The proposed agreement also includes a significant aid component, with plans for 600 aid trucks per day to enter Gaza, as well as supplies for internally displaced Gazans and infrastructure rehabilitation. While the negotiators are working to close the remaining gaps, it is unclear when in-person negotiations will resume. The US is eager to finalize the proposal and present it to Israel and Hamas in the hopes of reaching a final agreement.
