Hamas-Israel Ceasefire Deal Is 'On The Brink'; Hostages' Families Slam Netanyahu
Qatar, which is mediating the Israel-Hamas ceasefire has confirmed that the deal is close. The talks for ending the war and the release of Israeli hostages are progressing rapidly. Israel is ramping up attacks in Gaza, and death toll is increasing rapidly. 67 Palestinians were killed yesterday, and at least 20 killed within few hours into Wednesday.
Reportedly, the ceasefire deal will be implemented in three stages. During the first stage, 33 Israeli hostages under Hamas captive will be released. In turn, Israel will release 50 Palestinians held as prisoners in exchange for each female soldier, and 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the remaining civilians being held captive.
According to the ceasefire draft obtained by news agency AP, Israel will completely withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor – the strip of land between the borders of Gaza and Egypt – at the end of the first phase of the deal.
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The second stage of the deal start 16 days into the ceasefire. It will focus on negotiations to release the remaining men and soldiers in Gaza.
The third stage will address long-term arrangements, including discussions on establishing an alternative government in Gaza and plans to rebuild it.
Further details on the reported deal will focus on security. International body will be deployed policing the procedures, and Israel will allow over 1 million Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip.
Antony Blinken, US Secretary of States, said that Washington’s “day after” plan for post-war Gaza, including deploying an international security force that would oversee policing and border crossings in the enclave.
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At the same time, while thousands of Israelis rallied for a ceasefire deal in Tel Aviv, hundreds of other marched in Jerusalem, urging Netanyahu not to accept the current agreement. Families of hostages slammed the deal. They met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed disappointment that the proposed deal does not include a deadline for the release of all of their loved ones.
Some 100 Israeli hostages are still under Hamas captive, and Israel military believe that a third of them may be dead.
