Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that negotiations for a Gaza ceasefire were "on the brink," with reports suggesting the warring sides were nearing an agreement. Envoys from the Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration joined what was described as the “final round” of talks, meeting with representatives from Israel, Egypt, and Qatar. “It’s closer than it’s ever been,” Blinken said. “But right now, we await final word from Hamas on its acceptance. Until we get that, we remain on the brink.” President-elect Donald Trump expressed optimism, saying the deal was “very close.”

Despite over eight hours of discussions in Qatar, no deal was finalized by Tuesday night. A senior Hamas official revealed that they were waiting on Israeli documents clarifying the geographic scope of the ceasefire. Earlier, Qatar’s foreign ministry reported that talks on final details were ongoing after both parties received a draft agreement.

Hamas indicated the negotiations were in their final stages, expressing hope for a successful outcome. An Israeli official confirmed the talks were at a critical juncture but noted unresolved details. Islamic Jihad announced it was sending a senior delegation to Doha to participate in finalizing the ceasefire.

Ceasefire Agreement Details

According to Israeli media and reports from Doha, the initial phase of the ceasefire includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages—children, women, elderly individuals, and the sick—and up to 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. This phase would also involve a partial Israeli military withdrawal over 60 days. After 16 days, talks would commence on a second phase, involving the release of additional hostages, including military-age men, and the return of bodies of the deceased. The second phase would see the completion of the Israeli withdrawal.

The ongoing war in Gaza, which has claimed over 46,000 lives and displaced millions, has left residents cautiously hopeful but burdened by grief over the past 15 months. Optimism over the negotiations is tempered by past failures, including opposition from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government or resistance from Hamas.

Continuing Conflict

Despite reports of progress, fighting persisted. On Monday night, Israeli airstrikes in Deir al-Balah killed two women and their four children, aged between 1 month and nine years. In Khan Younis, two additional strikes killed 12 people.

Postwar Settlement Vision

In a speech at the Atlantic Council, Blinken outlined a potential postwar resolution, proposing a united leadership of Gaza and the West Bank under a reformed Palestinian Authority—an idea Israel has rejected. He also suggested international and Arab involvement, including the deployment of troops to stabilize the region and aid humanitarian efforts. Blinken’s speech was interrupted several times by protesters.

Incident in Balata Camp

Palestinian families continue to seek justice after an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) raid on Balata camp in the West Bank resulted in the deaths of an 80-year-old woman and another civilian. A Guardian investigation revealed that the IDF used a hospital vehicle with Palestinian license plates during the operation, a violation of humanitarian law.