After weeks of high-stakes diplomacy, a final draft ceasefire agreement has been handed to both Israel and Hamas, marking the closest point yet to a resolution of the devastating Gaza conflict.
The proposal, which also includes provisions for the release of 33 hostages, comes after a midnight breakthrough in Doha.
The developments unfolded on Monday, as reported by Reuters, following extensive talks involving U.S. President Joe Biden‘s envoy Brett McGurk, Donald Trump‘s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and intelligence chiefs from Israel. Both parties have been urged to finalize the agreement in follow-up meetings scheduled for Tuesday.
Negotiators from the U.S., Qatar and Egypt remain optimistic about closing the deal within days.
Can Gaza Deal Cross Finish Line?
U.S. officials and mediators suggest this is the closest the warring sides have come to a ceasefire since the conflict erupted over a year ago.
“There is a distinct possibility that we can get this deal done this week before President Biden leaves office,” Jake Sullivan, Biden’s national security adviser, said during an interview with Bloomberg TV.
Sullivan highlighted the pressure mounting on Hamas, saying its military formations have been "destroyed," top leaders "taken out" and primary backers like Iran "weakened and distracted." He added that Israel has achieved most of its military objectives, creating a window of opportunity for both sides to agree to a ceasefire.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed this optimism during an interview with MSNBC, saying the deal is “on the brink.”
Details Of Draft Agreement
The proposal, delivered by Qatar's ruling emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, reportedly addresses both a comprehensive ceasefire and the release of hostages. The text was presented to delegations from Israel and Hamas during talks attended by high-ranking officials, including Israel's Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence heads and Qatar’s prime minister.
Officials have remained cautious, stopping short of confirming a final agreement.
A Hamas official, speaking anonymously to Reuters, indicated progress in the negotiations and said: "We are working to conclude what remains soon."
What Comes Next?
The upcoming round of talks in Doha will seek to finalize the details of the ceasefire and hostage release.
According to Sullivan, Biden plans to speak with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to maintain momentum and ensure Egypt's support in implementing the deal.
Despite the optimism, Sullivan also struck a cautious note, saying, "We've been here before. We've been close before and haven't gotten across the finish line. I can't make any promises or predictions."
Back in Israel, public sentiment is also weighing heavily on the government. According to the Associated Press, 200 Israeli soldiers signed a letter threatening to cease fighting unless the government secures a ceasefire.
Israeli stocks, as tracked by VanEck Israel ETF ISRA were up 0.7% on Monday.
Photo via Shutterstock.
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