Gaza ceasefire: possible draft agreement leaked
The US-led search for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages appears close to fruition after more than a year of negotiations, sources told The National on January 13th. Senior US, Egyptian, and Qatari mediators gathered with Israeli and Hamas negotiators in Doha to finalise a potential agreement.
A leaked draft of the framework for a possible agreement, reviewed by The National, outlines a 42-day truce, the phased release of hostages held by Hamas and a partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. It also describes the return of displaced Palestinians, and the delivery of humanitarian aid, including critical fuel supplies. Final discussions are reportedly awaiting Hamas’ response to the proposal. “We are very, very close…yet being very close still means we’re far because until you actually get across the finish line, we’re not there,” said US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan on January 12th.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Joe Biden also discussed the negotiations on January 12th, underscoring the urgency of reaching an agreement. Meanwhile, high-level officials, including Mossad chief David Barnea and Biden’s senior Middle East adviser Brett McGurk, have joined the talks in Doha.
While the authenticity of the document could not be independently verified, it omits several of Hamas’ key demands. These include a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent ceasefire. The proposal also makes no mention of Israeli control over the Salah Al Din corridor, a vital strip along the Egypt-Gaza border that encompasses the Rafah crossing, Gaza’s only access point not overseen by Israel.
The assault on Gaza is now in its fifteenth month and has killed over 46,000 Palestinians. With 2.3 million displaced and a collapsing healthcare system, the humanitarian crisis has reached unprecedented levels.
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Hamas is believed to be holding around 100 hostages. The initial phase of the proposed truce would see the release of 33 hostages, including the remains of deceased captives. Priority would be given to women, children, the elderly, and those in poor health. Under the proposed framework, the freeing of hostages in exchange for Palestinians detainees in Israeli prisons, would be dependent on the commitment of both parties to the conditions of the proposed deal. This includes an adherence to the truce and the facilitation of humanitarian aid.
Israel would suspend aerial operations for ten hours daily, with this extended to twelve hours during prisoner exchanges. For every hostage released, 30 to 50 Palestinian detainees would be freed.
The agreement also includes provisions for 600 daily lorries of humanitarian supplies, 50 of which would carry fuel. Aid would primarily target northern Gaza, the most heavily impacted area. The truce would allow for debris removal and the entry of at least 60,000 caravans and 200,000 tents to house those who have lost their homes.
By the 16th day of the truce, indirect talks between Israel and Hamas are expected to resume, focusing on a second phase of the agreement, which would involve the release of remaining hostages. While the draft presents a possible breakthrough, its success depends on both sides committing to the proposed terms.
The National
