CAIRO — Hamas has indicated its willingness to accept a draft ceasefire agreement concerning the Gaza Strip and the release of numerous hostages, according to two officials familiar with the negotiations. Mediators from the United States and Qatar have noted that both Israel and Hamas are nearing a possible resolution to a conflict that has been ongoing for 15 months.

The proposed agreement, which has been scrutinized and confirmed by both an Egyptian and a Hamas official, has been obtained by various sources. An Israeli official stated that discussions have made significant headway, though specifics are still being finalized. These officials chose to remain anonymous while discussing the sensitive negotiations.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed optimism during a speech, saying, “I believe we will get a ceasefire,” and indicated that the final decision rests with Hamas. Blinken added that the deal is very close to being finalized and that an announcement could come shortly.

Over the past year, the United States, Egypt, and Qatar have dedicated efforts to mediate both an end to the fighting and the release of hostages taken during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. Currently, nearly 100 individuals remain in captivity within Gaza, with the military estimating that a significant portion of them may no longer be alive.

Any eventual agreement is anticipated to halt hostilities, offering a glimmer of hope for a resolution to one of the deadliest conflicts in the history of Israel and Hamas, which has further destabilized the already volatile region and incited global protests.

The situation in Gaza itself has been dire, as Israeli military actions have decimated large portions of the area, leaving approximately 90% of its 2.3 million residents displaced and many in danger of starvation.

If a deal is finalized, it will not take effect immediately; it still requires the approval of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Security Cabinet, followed by his complete Cabinet. Both bodies are largely composed of Netanyahu’s allies, who are likely to support any proposal he brings forth.

Previous optimism regarding the negotiations has not always resulted in progress, as both sides have repeatedly accused one another of stalling talks. However, there is a sense of urgency to finalize an agreement before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2024, with his Middle East envoy involved in the proceedings.

In a recent statement, Hamas reported that negotiations have reached a critical stage. During the October 7 assault, which was led by Hamas militants, approximately 1,200 people were killed—most of whom were civilians—and around 250 individuals were abducted. About half of these hostages were released during a temporary ceasefire in November 2023. Families of the captives have reported that among those still held are two children, 13 women, and 83 men.

The Israeli offensive in retaliation has resulted in more than 46,000 Palestinian deaths, with women and children comprising over half of the casualties, according to figures released by Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not specify the number of combatants among the deceased.

Recent Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza reportedly killed at least 17 Palestinians on Tuesday night, with seven others injured. Those attacked included multiple families, with reports indicating some bodies were dismembered. Earlier strikes that day resulted in at least 18 fatalities, among them two women and four children, with one woman, who was pregnant, reportedly losing both her life and that of her newborn.

While the Israeli military has refrained from commenting on the specific attacks, they maintain a stance of targeting militants and accuse these combatants of operating under civilian cover.

The ceasefire proposal consists of a three-phase plan crafted based on a framework offered by President Joe Biden and supported by the U.N. Security Council. It would commence with the release of 33 hostages over six weeks, including women, children, elderly individuals, and injured civilians, in return for hundreds of Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

The plan includes provisions for five female Israeli soldiers to be released in exchange for 50 Palestinian detainees, among whom are 30 militants serving lengthy prison sentences. An Israeli official has stated that they believe most of the hostages are alive.

During this initial phase, Israeli military forces would be withdrawn from populated areas, allowing Palestinians to begin returning to their homes in northern Gaza and facilitating a significant increase in humanitarian aid, with approximately 600 trucks expected to enter daily.

Nonetheless, specifics of the second phase remain to be negotiated during the first, with difficult discussions anticipated. There are currently no written assurances that the ceasefire will persist until a final agreement is reached, leaving open the possibility that Israel could resume military operations afterward.

During the first phase, the Israeli official has clarified that they will maintain certain military assets throughout the ongoing negotiations and that no full withdrawal from Gaza would occur until all hostages are returned.

The mediating nations have provided Hamas with verbal reassurances that discussions will proceed as intended and are committed to advancing agreements for the subsequent phases before the initial one concludes. According to an Egyptian official, the agreement allows Israel to control the Philadelphi corridor—territory adjacent to Gaza’s border with Egypt—despite Hamas requesting evacuation from this area initially.

Proposed conditions for the second phase indicate that Hamas would release the remaining living captives, primarily male soldiers, in exchange for more prisoners and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Hamas has insisted that it cannot release the remaining hostages unless a ceasefire is established and the fighting is completely halted, while Netanyahu has suggested a relentless pursuit of Hamas’ military and governance capabilities.

Without creating an alternative governing body for Gaza, Hamas could potentially remain in charge of the region moving forward. In a third phase, the remains of the remaining hostages would be returned in return for an international plan for Gaza’s reconstruction under global supervision lasting three to five years.

On Tuesday, Blinken was advocating for a proposal that encompasses Gaza’s postwar governance and reconstruction, aiming for a plan devoid of Hamas’ control.

As Trump’s inauguration date approaches, both Israel and Hamas face increasing pressure to reach a halt in hostilities. Trump commented recently that a ceasefire is “very close.”

In Tel Aviv, thousands rallied in support of a potential deal, emphasizing humanitarian concerns and the belief that no one ought to be left in peril. “This is not about politics or strategy. It’s about humanity,” stated Moran Stella Yanai, a hostage released from Gaza.

Conversely, hard-liners in Jerusalem protested against the negotiations, chanting, “You don’t make a deal with the devil,” a direct reference to Hamas.

In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, gatherings of families of Palestinian prisoners took place, with calls for faith in a resolution. From a tent camp in Gaza, displaced individual Oday al-Halimy expressed hope that a ceasefire would soon materialize. “Certainly, Hamas will comply with the ceasefire, and Israel is not interested in opposing Trump or angering him,” he remarked.

In another tent, a child named Massa Zaqout, born on the first day of the conflict, played with toys while her mother expressed their desperate hope for a truce. “We’re eagerly waiting for a truce to happen so we can live in safety and stability,” said Rola Saqer, Massa’s mother.