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Comprehensive Exchange Deal.. Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Comes to Light
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The agreement represents a historic breakthrough after difficult negotiations in Doha, opening the door to ending Palestinian suffering in the besieged strip
Qatari diplomatic efforts achieved a historic breakthrough with Qatari officials and Hamas leaders announcing today, Wednesday, reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and prisoner exchange, coinciding with a U.S. official confirming parties reached an agreement ending the 15-month-long war in the Strip.
Intensive negotiations in Doha resulted in drafting an agreement including the release of dozens of Hamas-held detainees in exchange for releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, along with allowing displaced people to return and humanitarian aid to flow.
A Palestinian official source revealed that the official announcement will be from Cairo, indicating that three factions meeting in Doha unanimously approved the final draft.
Reuters reported from an Israeli official that Hamas agreed to the Qatari proposal, while Maariv newspaper confirmed the agreement's imminent signing.
U.S. website Axios highlighted positive progress in Doha talks, with expectations of finalizing the agreement Thursday, and Mohammed Sinwar's approval. Hamas began preparations for implementing the agreement by dividing prisoners into groups and coordinating with mediators and the Red Cross, while transferring American prisoners to safe locations.
Netanyahu assured hostages' families of his readiness for a long-term ceasefire to ensure their complete return, while Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari explained that negotiations reached their final stages after overcoming the last obstacles.
Two sources close to Hamas mentioned that the first phase includes releasing 33 detainees in exchange for freeing about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, in batches starting with children and women.
Levant-Agencies
