by Our Correspondent in Doha
In a major diplomatic breakthrough, incoming U.S. President Donald Trump has confirmed a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered with the assistance of Qatar and Egypt. The deal, announced amidst tense negotiations, seeks to halt hostilities in Gaza, facilitate the release of hostages, and establish a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces. According to Israeli sources, the agreement was finalized after Hamas reportedly gave a “green light” to the proposal on Wednesday, though last-minute demands from Hamas regarding the Philadelphi corridor complicated the negotiations. These demands, which deviated from the maps previously approved by Israeli and American mediators, were firmly rejected by Israel.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed Al Thani is expected to formally announce the ceasefire in a press conference later tonight. The agreement outlines a gradual release of 33 hostages, including women, children, and elderly individuals over the age of 55. The first phase of the ceasefire will allow Gazan residents to move freely between the northern and southern regions of the Strip, while Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will pull back to a buffer zone inside Gaza. Negotiations for a second phase, involving the release of an additional 65 hostages, are slated to begin on the sixteenth day of the agreement.
Despite the progress, tensions remain high. An Israeli official noted that while technical details are still being finalized, Israel insists on prioritizing the release of female hostages and young children from the Bibas family. Meanwhile, questions persist regarding the status of hostages holding dual Israeli-American citizenship, with reports suggesting uncertainty about their inclusion in the initial stages of the deal. Israeli sources also denied earlier claims that Hamas had agreed to the full terms, stating that no formal response had been received at the time.
Palestinian sources confirmed that Hamas has updated representatives from the Islamic Jihad and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine regarding the agreement, with maps exchanged between the parties reflecting terms agreed upon during technical discussions. However, social media commentary has highlighted significant concessions reportedly made by Israel, including a full withdrawal from Gaza, the Philadelphi corridor, and the acceptance of deceased hostages in the initial phase. Critics argue these concessions mark a significant victory for Hamas, while others attribute the developments to Israel’s inability to convert military successes into a cohesive political strategy.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a series of meetings with senior officials, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz, to discuss the terms and implications of the agreement. The Israeli government is expected to convene again in the coming hours to ratify the deal and finalize the lists of hostages and Palestinian prisoners to be exchanged. In Gaza, Hamas’s politburo released a statement emphasizing its commitment to ending Israeli “aggression” and halting what it described as a “genocide” against the Palestinian people.
As the first hostages are expected to be released in the coming days, international attention remains fixed on the fragile truce. Observers have noted the symbolic timing of the deal, which coincides with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump. With much at stake for both sides, the coming weeks will determine whether the agreement will hold or if underlying tensions will reignite hostilities.
