Palestinian groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad have reportedly approved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal, marking a significant development in the ongoing negotiations aimed at halting the nearly 16-month-long conflict in Gaza.
According to two Palestinian sources close to the talks, the resistance factions reached an agreement on the terms of the ceasefire and informed the mediators, who include representatives from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, of their approval.
“The resistance factions reached an agreement among themselves and informed the mediators of their approval of the (prisoner) exchange deal and ceasefire,” one of the sources told AFP on the condition of anonymity.
A second Palestinian source confirmed the deal’s approval, further suggesting that a formal announcement may soon follow. However, despite these reports, key questions remain regarding Hamas’ formal written approval of the deal.
According to a Palestinian official speaking to Reuters, Hamas had given verbal approval to the ceasefire and hostage return proposal under negotiation in Qatar, but was still awaiting additional details before providing its final written response.
A Hamas official, who also declined to be named, reiterated that the group had not yet submitted a formal written response to the proposal.
The potential ceasefire deal, which has been under discussion for several months, would involve the release of hostages taken by Hamas in its deadly October 7, 2023 attack, the release of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails, and a phased halt to the fighting in Gaza.
Although Hamas has reportedly agreed to the terms of the deal in principle, there are still outstanding details that need to be finalised.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials denied claims that Hamas had officially agreed to the ceasefire deal. In a statement on Wednesday, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejected reports suggesting that the Palestinian militant group had approved the ceasefire.
“Contrary to reports, the Hamas terror organization has not yet returned its response to the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.
The confusion came after an Israeli official had earlier stated that Hamas had given its approval to the ceasefire proposal shared by Qatari mediators. However, Netanyahu’s office quickly refuted that claim, further underscoring the ongoing uncertainty surrounding the talks.
The deal’s potential to halt the bloodshed in Gaza has sparked hope on both sides, with officials from Qatar, Egypt, the US, Israel, and Hamas signaling that an agreement could be imminent.
On Tuesday, officials from the involved parties expressed optimism that the negotiations were closer than ever to reaching a resolution. A Palestinian official close to the talks said on Wednesday, “I am hopeful a deal can be signed tonight, latest tomorrow.”
The ceasefire deal, if finalized, would include multiple phases. The first phase would see a six-week ceasefire, followed by the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern parts of the enclave.
In exchange, Israel would recover around 100 hostages and bodies of those taken during the Hamas-led attack on October 7. The agreement would also involve the release of Palestinian detainees from Israeli jails, including 33 Israeli hostages in Hamas custody.
Despite optimism, there remain significant obstacles. A senior Hamas official revealed late Tuesday that the group had yet to provide a formal response because it was still awaiting maps from Israel showing how its forces would withdraw from Gaza.
While both sides have previously claimed they were close to a ceasefire deal only to encounter last-minute snags, the broad outlines of this agreement have reportedly been in place since mid-2024. If implemented, the ceasefire could mark a crucial turning point in a conflict that has caused widespread devastation in Gaza.
Since the conflict erupted in October 2023, Israeli airstrikes have leveled much of the enclave, displacing most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents and killing at least 46,700 Palestinians, according to local health officials. The toll is expected to continue rising as military operations persist.
For Palestinians, the ceasefire is seen as a lifeline from the relentless Israeli bombardment, which has created a severe humanitarian crisis.
“We are waiting for the ceasefire and the truce. May God complete it for us in goodness, bless us with peace, and allow us to return to our homes,” said Amal Saleh, 54, a Gazan who was displaced by the war. “Even if the schools are bombed, destroyed, and ruined, we just want to know that we are finally living in peace.”
Escalating tensions amid ongoing hostilities
Despite the ongoing negotiations, Israeli military strikes continued unabated. Over the last 24 hours, Israeli forces targeted around 50 sites in Gaza, including airstrikes that killed at least 13 Palestinians, including seven who were sheltering in a school in Gaza City.
Another six people were killed in separate airstrikes on houses in Deir Al-Balah, Bureij refugee camp, and Rafah, according to local medical sources. The continued violence underscores the fragile nature of the ceasefire talks, with both sides still engaged in active hostilities.
Israeli military officials confirmed that their airstrikes were part of an ongoing campaign to target Hamas infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Palestinian civilians, including those displaced from their homes, continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with many hoping that the ceasefire will provide relief from the relentless bombing.
The fate of hostages taken during the October 7 attack remains a major point of focus in the negotiations. According to Israeli officials, around 98 hostages are still being held in Gaza, with about half believed to be alive.
Among the hostages are Israelis, as well as foreign nationals, including dual citizens. Many families of the hostages are caught between a sense of hope and despair, anxiously awaiting confirmation that their loved ones will be released.
While the immediate focus is on a ceasefire and the release of hostages, there is growing concern about Gaza’s future governance. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa reiterated on Wednesday that the Palestinian Authority (PA) must be the sole governing power in Gaza after the war.
However, this proposal faces opposition from Israel, which has rejected any involvement by Hamas in the future governance of Gaza. Israel is equally wary of the PA, which holds limited authority in the West Bank and has historically struggled to exert control in Gaza.
The issue of Gaza’s post-war leadership is complicated further by the need for security guarantees for Israel, as well as the billions of dollars required for the rebuilding of Gaza’s shattered infrastructure.
In the long term, the international community will need to address these issues, along with the broader goal of achieving a lasting peace in the region.
