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Agreement in principle between Israel and Hamas for ceasefire: details and uncertainties over hostage release

Ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire: the US presses for a solution, while crucial knots remain open over prisoners and management of the conflict in Gaza

The last few hours are proving decisive for the future of the Gaza Strip. According to reports in the pan-Arab daily Al-Quds Al-Arabi, it seems that Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement in principle for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The plan, presented by Israel to the mediators in Doha, envisages the creation of a buffer zone along the Gaza border, which will remain under Israeli control. The width of this area will be about 1.5 kilometres, much wider than the previously agreed 300 metres, where Israeli troops were allowed to open fire on anyone who crossed the line. The new agreement, therefore, redefines the presence of the Israeli armed forces inside the Palestinian enclave.

Withdrawal of Israeli forces and release of hostages

Another key point of the agreement concerns the withdrawal of Israeli forces from specific areas of the Gaza Strip. The withdrawal will take place in two phases, as confirmed by the quoted sources. The optimism, particularly on the part of the United States, stems from the fact that the release of Israeli hostages and some Palestinian prisoners is foreseen in the first stages of the agreement, although discussions still remain on crucial issues. These include the exact number of prisoners to be released and the conditions for their release, especially for those who are serving harsh sentences in Israeli prisons. Israel, for its part, insists on the need to obtain certainty about the state of health of the hostages before agreeing on the number of prisoners to be released.

International pressure and the role of the United States

The delicate phase of the negotiations is taking place under the watchful eye of the international community. In particular, the United States is putting considerable pressure on Israel to accept a final ceasefire. During a telephone conversation yesterday, US President Joe Biden discussed progress in the negotiations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu updated Biden on the mandates given to the negotiating team in Doha and thanked both him and former President-elect Donald Trump for their efforts to secure the release of the hostages.

Biden, for his part, stressed the urgency of reaching a ceasefire agreement and unblocking the issue of hostage release. However, one of the main obstacles in the negotiations seems to be Israel’s reluctance to officially commit to a final cessation of the conflict, which is currently seen by Tel Aviv as conditional on developments in the first two phases of the agreement.

Drone threats and tensions in Israeli airspace

Meanwhile, the situation on the ground continues to be volatile. A few hours ago, the Israeli Air Force intercepted and shot down a drone launched from Yemen near the community of Gvulot in southern Israel. The drone, which was neutralised by an IAF helicopter, is only the latest in a series of threats from various regional actors who are taking advantage of the crisis in Gaza to intensify their provocations against Israel.

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