Negotiations for Ceasefire Agreement in 'Final Stages'

Qatar's Foreign Ministry states that negotiations in Doha for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages are in their 'final stages.' The Associated Press, citing two officials involved in the negotiations, reports that Hamas has accepted a draft ceasefire agreement for Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages. An Israeli official noted that progress has been made, but details are still being finalized. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the proposed agreement, which was confirmed by an Egyptian official and a Hamas official. This plan must be submitted to the Israeli cabinet for final approval. All three officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the closed-door negotiations. According to the draft agreement being negotiated between Israel and Hamas, Israel will pay a hefty price for the release of female soldiers taken hostage. The report states that this three-phase agreement will begin with the gradual release of 33 hostages over a six-week period, including women, children, elderly individuals, and injured civilians, in exchange for Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian women and children from prison. Among these 33 individuals will be 5 Israeli female soldiers, each of whom will be released in exchange for 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 security prisoners serving life sentences. In the first 42-day phase, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas, and Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes in northern Gaza, with humanitarian aid increasing daily by 600 trucks. Israeli attacks on Gaza have resulted in at least 32 deaths. Israel claims to have destroyed a Hezbollah missile warehouse in its first attack since the ceasefire. Hamas has welcomed the agreement in Lebanon and expressed readiness for a ceasefire in Gaza. Blinken stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon will be influential in ending the war in Gaza.