Hamas reportedly approved the draft Ceasefire agreement With Israel, which will include the release of dozens of hostages, according to the Associated Press, which quoted “officials involved in the talks.” This potential agreement is the first sign in months that the war between Israel and Hamas, which has lasted for more than a year, may be coming to an end.
Possible agreement It will reportedly be implemented in three phases, the first phase beginning with a 42-day ceasefire. During that period, 33 hostages will be released, including children, women, female soldiers, men over the age of fifty, and humanitarian cases. In return, Hamas receives hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including prominent detainees. According to an Israeli government official, “most” of the 33 hostages kidnapped by Hamas from Israel on October 7, 2023, are still alive.
Speaking about the exchange of hostages for prisoners, the Israeli government official indicated that there is a “price” for pushing the terrorist group to release the prisoners. However, the source pledged that Israel “will not leave the Gaza Strip until all the hostages return to their homes.”
People inspect debris and rubble at the site of the Israeli bombing of a residential building on Al-Jalaa Street in Gaza City on January 14, 2025, amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territories between Israel and Hamas.
As part of the first phase of the agreement, Israel will begin withdrawing from parts of northern Gaza, allowing Palestinians to return to their homes. However, security experts warn that this could allow Hamas to rebuild itself.
In addition, during the first phase of the deal, humanitarian aid will be delivered to Gaza Strip.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Israeli army commanders at the Netzarim Corridor in Gaza to discuss Hamas activity on November 19, 2024. (Photo courtesy of TPS)
Fox News gets an inside look at the IDF's war against Hamas
It is expected that the details of the second phase will be negotiated during the first phase. However, the draft agreement cited by the AP indicates that during this phase, Hamas would release the remaining living hostages in exchange for the “complete withdrawal” of Israeli forces from Gaza. An Egyptian official allegedly told the Associated Press that before the end of the first phase, there would be deals for the second and third phases.
An Israeli government official told Fox News: “This is the only time since November 2023 that we are actually negotiating with Hamas, and they are not playing a game in the negotiations.”
The official cited multiple events, such as a death Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar and internal pressure against the terrorist group, as crucial turning points in creating the appropriate “conditions” for reaching an agreement.
Israeli soldiers remove the bodies of civilians killed days ago in an attack by Palestinian terrorists on this kibbutz near the border with Gaza, on October 10, 2023, in Kfar Azza, Israel. (Amir Levy/Getty Images)
Qatari and Israeli officials who spoke with Fox News expressed optimism about the potential deal that could bring an end to the war.
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Thousands have been killed in the 15-month war, which began after brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023, in which more than 1,200 Israelis were killed. More than 250 hostages were taken.
Efrat Lachter contributed to this report.
