A senior US official disclosed in a Wednesday op-ed for the Washington Post that a framework has been reportedly agreed upon for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in Gaza.
The op-ed indicates that the deal would lead to the release of some hostages and that the involved parties are currently negotiating its implementation.
However, other senior officials cautioned that while a framework exists, a final agreement “is not imminent,” as the details are complex and will take time to finalize. US officials outlined a three-stage resolution in the agreement.
According to the Washington Post, the second phase of the ceasefire agreement includes an “interim governance” plan accepted by both Hamas and Israel. Under this plan, neither Israel nor Hamas would control Gaza. Instead, US-provided security backed by moderate Arab allies would oversee the area, supported by about 2,500 vetted supporters of the Palestinian Authority already in Gaza.
Other aspects of the agreement include:
- In the first phase, 33 living hostages, including all remaining female captives, men over 50, and the injured, would be released by Hamas. Israel would release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and withdraw its forces from densely populated areas on Gaza’s eastern border.
- Hamas has informed mediators it is “prepared to relinquish authority to the interim governance arrangement.”
- The plan also involves reconstructing hospitals and ensuring a flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
- Subsequently, Hamas would release male IDF soldiers held as hostages, leading to a full IDF withdrawal from Gaza and what the op-ed describes as a “permanent end to hostilities.”
- The final phase would see a UN Security Council resolution for a “multi-year reconstruction plan” in Gaza.
Another American official mentioned that Hamas is reportedly “low on ammunition and supplies” and is facing increasing pressure and criticism from Palestinian civilians demanding a ceasefire deal.
Additionally, the Post notes that an extra benefit of the ceasefire deal could be the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia. However, Riyadh has indicated that it wants the creation of a Palestinian state as part of the deal.
