Gaza cease-fire negotiations in final stages, agreement ‘imminent’: Qatar FM

Negotiations for a Gaza cease-fire and hostage exchange are in their “final stages,” with an agreement expected to be announced imminently, Qatar‘s Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

“We believe we are at the final stages of these negotiations. Major obstacles between the two parties have been resolved,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari stated during a press conference in Doha.

He added that the agreement’s implementation would occur “very shortly after it is finalized.”

Prisoner exchange key to cease-fire agreement

Two Palestinian sources close to Hamas told AFP that Israel is expected to release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including several with lengthy sentences, in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages.

An Israeli official confirmed that “several hundred terrorists” would be released as part of the deal’s first phase.

The Oct. 7 attack on Israel resulted in 1,210 deaths and the capture of 251 hostages, according to official Israeli figures.

Israel’s retaliatory campaign has led to over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, as per the Hamas-run health ministry, figures considered reliable by the U.N.

Mediators play a pivotal role in negotiations

The ongoing negotiations in Doha involve high-level representatives, including Israeli intelligence heads and envoys from the United States. Qatar, alongside Egypt and the U.S., has spearheaded mediation efforts.

“Key unresolved issues have been addressed in recent weeks,” al-Ansari said, cautioning against over-optimism. “Until an official announcement is made, we must remain measured.”

‘Progress in negotiations,’ says Israel’s Deputy FM

Israeli deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel credits Trump’s pressure on Hamas for progress on truce deal negotiations during a press conference in Jerusalem. “He said that if they don’t release the hostages, hloose…l break loose… I think that created enough pressure on the parties to move forward in pressing on advancing the negotiation,” she said.

“There is a progress today in the negotiation to release the hostages. Israel is deeply committed to securing the release and is working relentlessly to reach an agreement,” said Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel during a press briefing.

On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden said a ceasefire and hostage release deal was “on the brink” of being finalized, just days ahead of the inauguration of his successor, Donald Trump.

Challenges, controversies

The ceasefire discussions have faced hurdles, including debates over the permanence of a truce, humanitarian aid access, and border crossings.

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voiced opposition, stating, “The proposed agreement is a catastrophe for Israel’s national security.”

Smotrich today is having a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding the prisoner swap and the ceasefire in Gaza.

Meanwhile, calls from hostage families have intensified, urging the Israeli government to finalize an accord.

Despite ongoing diplomacy, Israeli airstrikes have continued across Gaza, reportedly killing 61 people in the past 24 hours, according to Gaza’s health ministry.