Hamas Completes Draft Ceasefire Agreement In Gaza Strip

Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip. (Source: IDF Spokesperson)

The Palestinian independence struggle group, Hamas, on Saturday (11/1) announced it had completed a draft ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip and awaits Israeli approval, indicating progress in efforts to end the conflict.

Hamas group spokesman Jihad Taha told London-based pan-Arab media Al-Araby Al-Jadeed TV that a number of mediators had completed a draft agreement that included terms of a ceasefire and prisoner swap.

He said Hamas was waiting for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's representative in Doha to agree and sign the deal.

The report states that talks about the ceasefire have made positive progress. Qatar-based television channel Al-Araby TV, citing Hamas officials, said negotiations were nearing the final stages. In the coming hours it is considered important to finalize the deal.

According to Al Araby TV, in the early stages of the draft agreement, Israel will withdraw troops from certain points, including the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza and part of the Philadelphi Corridor or the buffer zone on the Gaza and Egypt border.

A week after the ceasefire begins, prisoners will be released, and Israel will withdraw from the agreed areas. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States are expected to hold a press conference to disclose details of the deal, implementation schedule, and the date of the start of the ceasefire.

US President Joe Biden on Thursday (9/1) confirmed that there had been progress in reaching the deal. Since October 7, 2023, Israeli soldiers have waged wars and genocide in Gaza that has killed more than 46,500 people, with the majority of women and children, although the UN Security Council called for an immediate ceasefire.

In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant for Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza. Israel is also facing a genocide case at the International Court (ICJ) over its war in the region.