Trump Just Brokered A Hamas Peace Deal Before Entering the White House

Hamas has approved a draft agreement for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal, marking a potential breakthrough in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

At a Glance

  • Hamas and Islamic Jihad have approved a draft agreement for a prisoner-hostage exchange and ceasefire
  • The first phase would see 33 Israeli hostages freed in exchange for about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners
  • Qatar, acting as a mediator, expressed optimism that an agreement to end the war could be reached soon
  • Disagreements remain over the permanence of the ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal, and humanitarian aid scale
  • The war in Gaza was sparked by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023

Hamas Approves Draft Agreement

In a significant development, Hamas has reportedly approved a draft agreement for a prisoner-hostage exchange and ceasefire with Israel. This potential breakthrough comes after months of intense fighting that has devastated the Gaza Strip and left thousands dead on both sides.

According to sources close to the negotiations, the first phase of the deal would involve the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. The initial releases would prioritize children and women, with further negotiations planned for a second phase.

Qatar’s Mediation Efforts

Qatar, which has been acting as a key mediator in the conflict, has expressed optimism about the prospects of reaching an agreement to end the war. The negotiations, taking place in Qatar, are reportedly in their final stages, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussing the deal with top security officials.

“The resistance factions reached an agreement among themselves and informed the mediators of their approval of the (prisoner-hostage) exchange deal and ceasefire,” one source told AFP on condition of anonymity.

The United States and Egypt have also been involved in the mediation efforts, intensifying their work to finalize a deal and secure the release of hostages. Outgoing U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has stated that a deal is ready to be concluded and implemented.

Remaining Challenges

Despite the progress made, several challenges remain in finalizing the agreement. Disagreements persist over the permanence of the ceasefire, Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza, and the scale of humanitarian aid to be allowed into the territory. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed opposition to a full withdrawal from Gaza and any post-war role for Hamas.

The ongoing conflict has resulted in a significant loss of life on both sides. The war in Gaza was sparked by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,210 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel’s retaliatory campaign in Gaza has reportedly led to 46,707 deaths, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run territory’s health ministry.

Trump is already getting things done!