KEY POINTS
- Hamas and Israel have exchanged initial lists of hostages and prisoners for release.
- Over 44,758 Palestinians have been killed and 106,134 injured in the 14-month conflict.
- A phased two-month Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.
- Hamas seeks a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
CAIRO, Egypt: Negotiations to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas have entered an advanced stage, with mediators exchanging lists of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the Arabic-language site of The New Arab reported on Monday citing sources.
Delegations from Hamas and Israel have begun implementing a framework for a ceasefire deal. During meetings in Cairo on Sunday, Hamas presented Egyptian intelligence officials with an initial list of hostages for release.
This list reportedly prioritizes people with medical conditions, the elderly, and four US citizens. Meanwhile, Hamas submitted a roster of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons, whose release is demanded as part of the agreement.
Israeli negotiators are currently reviewing these proposals, working towards finalizing the list of detainees to be freed. The talks are facilitated by Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the United States to achieve a truce, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported citing sources close to the negotiations.
An Israeli delegation is set to arrive in Cairo to discuss some of the proposed terms to finalise the deal, including which areas Israeli forces would withdraw from during the transition period of the agreement, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.
The health ministry in Gaza reported that over 44,758 Palestinians have been killed since the conflict started on October 7, 2023. An additional 106,134 have been injured in the over 14-month war. In the past 24 hours alone, 50 people have been killed in Gaza amid relentless airstrikes, the health ministry said.
Meanwhile, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini emphasized the urgency of a ceasefire, describing it as a “critical first step” toward restoring normalcy for displaced children.
“In Gaza, amidst this humanitarian disaster, our teams have been delivering Back-to-Learning sessions for thousands of children displaced since formal education ceased in October 2023,” he stated on X.
Reports indicate that the current Egyptian-brokered proposal involves a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza over a two-month ceasefire. During this transitional period, unrestricted aid—including food, medicine, and fuel—would be allowed into the Palestinian enclave.
A major sticking point remains Hamas’s demand for a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. Israel, however, insists on retaining a troop presence in the Palestinian territory.
Egyptian negotiators are also working to secure consensus among Palestinian groups. Efforts to convince President Mahmoud Abbas and the Fatah movement to participate in the proposed Community Support Committee—a body that would administer Gaza post-conflict—are ongoing.
Mediators have expressed cautious optimism, aiming to finalize an agreement before US President-elect Donald Trump’s January 20 inauguration.
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Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, during a visit to Abu Dhabi, expressed hope that hostages held by Hamas would be released before the incoming administration assumes office.
Despite ongoing truce talks, Israel continued the bombardment campaign in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least eight Palestinians on Monday, including a couple whose tent was struck in Al-Zawayda. Meanwhile, a truck carrying goods was reportedly set on fire by Israeli forces in southeast Gaza.
The UN has highlighted the plight of nearly one million displaced Palestinians, warning of severe risks from cold and rain this winter. “Only 23 percent of the displaced population’s needs have been met, leaving over 945,000 people vulnerable,” a UNRWA statement said.
