Efforts to finalize a deal to end the prolonged conflict involve potential exchanges of hostages in Gaza for Palestinian detainees.
Egypt, Qatar, the United States, France, and other stakeholders are actively engaged in brokering a truce between Israel and Hamas.
The proposed ceasefire aims to last for six weeks and secure the release of hostages held since the hostilities that followed Hamas’s October 7 attack on southern Israel.
Media reports suggest that terms of the agreement may include the release of several hundred Palestinian detainees by Israel.
President Biden has expressed optimism, stating his hope for a ceasefire by the following Monday, although negotiations are still ongoing.
An unnamed Israeli official, as reported by Ynet, echoed optimism about the direction of discussions. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized that while a truce might be near, it would only postpone, not prevent, a potential ground invasion of Rafah in the far south of the Gaza Strip. Netanyahu believes such an invasion is necessary for a “total victory” over Hamas.
Despite expectations of a ceasefire, concerns persist about the fate of civilians in Rafah, where an estimated 1.4 million Palestinians have sought shelter. The United Nations warns against a ground assault on Rafah, as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres cautions that it would disrupt humanitarian aid operations, worsening the already dire situation in Gaza.
In Gaza’s north, residents face desperation due to dwindling aid deliveries, leading to food shortages and harsh living conditions.
The Jordanian army is conducting humanitarian aid drops, while international organizations accuse Israel of restricting aid access to Gaza.
In a political development, Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas has accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh’s government in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. This move comes amid calls for a reformed Palestinian Authority to govern both the West Bank and Gaza, indicating potential shifts in regional dynamics following the ceasefire.