Hamas affirms closeness to truce agreement with Israel, signaling diplomatic progress in the region
Israel's entire cabinet of 38 ministers is now meeting at this time to discuss the hostage release agreement. Earlier, the Hamas Leader said that the transit agreement with Israel is “close”.
An Israeli tank maneuvering near the border with Gaza today - Photo Reproduction/Reuters
In a significant development, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said on Tuesday (21) that he is close to reaching a ceasefire agreement in the war with Israel. This announcement signals a possible advance in diplomatic efforts in this volatile Middle East region. The negotiations take place amid prolonged tension that has persisted for more than a month, with periodic escalations between the parties involved.
"We are close to reaching an agreement for a truce," Haniyeh said in a Telegram post.
An official Hamas representative told Al Jazeera that the negotiations address the possibility of a temporary truce to facilitate the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, as well as an agreement for the exchange of hostages and prisoners. Negotiators are committed to concluding an agreement that will enable the release of approximately 240 hostages, the majority of whom are Israeli nationals. These individuals were kidnapped on October 7, during what was considered the deadliest attack in Israel's history.
Hamas
Hamas, founded in 1987, is considered a Palestinian resistance movement by its supporters, but is designated a terrorist organization by several countries, including the United States, the European Union and Israel. The group gained control of the Gaza Strip in 2007, leading to a complex political scenario in the region. Haniyeh, who has led Hamas since 2017, has lived in Doha, Qatar, for three years. Currently, Hamas has a deliberative body made up of 15 members, responsible for electing the maximum leader.
Diplomatic Maneuvers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is currently meeting with his cabinet as expectations grow around a possible agreement that could result in the release of hostages by Hamas, as well as a four-day truce in fighting. A high-ranking Israeli representative told the BBC that the agreement, mediated by Qatar, would lead to the release of 50 Israeli citizens. Qatar's Prime Minister, Mohammed ben Abdelrahmane Al-Thani, said on Sunday that the completion of an agreement for the release of some hostages, in exchange for a temporary ceasefire, is pending practical issues considered "minor".
According to a US official, cited by Reuters, the hostages released by the terrorist group would be mainly women and children, that is, 30 children, eight mothers and 12 women would be released. In return, Israel is expected to release 150 Palestinian prisoners. Prime Minister Netanyahu previously indicated that there had been “progress”, while US President Joe Biden declared that a deal was “very close”.
During this process, US officials traveled between regional capitals to facilitate negotiations. However, fighting continues to intensify in Gaza, with Israeli military forces announcing that they have surrounded Jabalia in northern Gaza.
Retrospect and Situation in the Region
Israeli forces began attacks in the area controlled by Hamas after members of the group crossed the border on October 7. This resulted in the loss of 1,200 lives and the taking of more than 200 people hostage. In response, Israel retaliated with incessant airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, in addition to a ground attack, with a commitment to defeat Hamas and secure the release of the hostages. The Ministry of Health in Gaza, under Hamas control, claims that more than 14,000 individuals were killed, including more than 5,000 children, as a result of the Israeli offensive in the region.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported on Tuesday that two of its doctors were killed during an attack on Al-Awda hospital in northern Gaza, expressing deep horror at the incident. In addition to the MSF doctors, a third doctor from the Ministry of Health was also the victim of what MSF described as an attack. Drs Mahmoud Abu Nujaila and Ahmad Al Sahar, from the MSF team, were present at the hospital when the third and fourth floors were hit, as stated by the organization.
MSF reported that several medical staff, including members of its own team, suffered serious injuries. According to the agency, more than 200 patients still remain in Al-Awda hospital and need to be urgently evacuated to other hospitals in Gaza that are still operational.
The organization said it regularly shares information about Al-Awda hospital, highlighting that it is one of the last operating hospitals in northern Gaza. Additionally, GPS coordinates were provided to Israeli authorities on the Monday before the attack. MSF's statement also emphasizes the need for clarification and the urgency of ensuring the safety of hospitals and medical staff in the region.
Humanitarian Concerns
Current discussions also highlight the need to address humanitarian issues in the Gaza Strip. The region has faced significant challenges, including border blockades, infrastructure problems, food shortages, limited access to clean water and medicines, and a lack of electricity. These factors contributed to a long-running humanitarian crisis in the area.
