- Temporary halt in Israel-Hamas conflict
- US-negotiated two-phase agreement
- Humanitarian aid increase for Gaza
The agreement, which the United States reportedly negotiated, consists of two phases and also requires Israel to permit more humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza.
Two senior administration officials claim that if US negotiators reach an agreement to release dozens of detainees captured in the October 7 attack, Israel’s war against Hamas could be halted for two months.
The American officials, who requested anonymity, stated that the provisions of the ongoing agreement would be implemented in two stages.
Women, the elderly, and disabled captives would be released by Hamas during the initial phase when hostilities would cease.
Israel and Hamas would need to devise the second phase during this pause to secure the release of Israeli soldiers and civilians.
It is anticipated that the agreement will free over one hundred captives.
The emerging agreement also requires Israel to increase humanitarian aid entering Gaza, where residents, according to the UN Agency for Palestine, are experiencing “immense suffering” due to a lack of food and a single operational water pipeline connecting Israel to the besieged strip.
Rafah, south of the Strip, has become a tent “city” for over 1.9 million Gazans displaced since October 7.
Hope and Conflict Amidst Ceasefire Efforts
No food, medical supplies, or sanitary products are permitted entry into the territory.
Although the proposed agreement does not end the war, United States officials remain optimistic that it may resolve the dispute.
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According to the White House, US President Joe Biden and the leader of Qatar “affirmed that a hostage deal [was] central to establishing a prolonged humanitarian pause in the fighting.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, meanwhile, has pledged to continue military operations to destroy Hamas.
A week-long ceasefire was declared in November, leading to the reciprocal transfer of approximately one hundred hostages from each faction. There are currently around 130 captives, but several have been confirmed dead.
Israeli fighter aircraft began bombing Gaza immediately following the expiration of the ceasefire, while Hamas fighters launched rockets at Israel.
Hamas has demanded the release of thousands of Palestinian inmates and the end of hostilities before releasing more.
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