Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage deal following talks with the Qatari prime minister, a source briefed on the talks told the BBC.
There was no confirmation from the Israeli government or Hamas, but a Hamas official previously told the BBC that mediators from Qatar, the United States and Egypt had approved the draft.
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who participated in the meeting as a special envoy, also wrote on social media, “We have concluded negotiations on hostages in the Middle East.”
Details of the three-phase plan have not been made public, but reports say 33 of the hostages being held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons in the first six weeks after the ceasefire.
The second phase of negotiations for the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops, and “sustainable stability” is scheduled to begin in two weeks.
The third and final phase will involve rebuilding Gaza, which could take years, and repatriating the bodies of the remaining hostages.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas on October 7, 2023, in response to its unprecedented attacks on southern Israel. The attack left approximately 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.
Since then, more than 46,700 people have died in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. Most of the country’s 2.3 million people have been displaced, widespread destruction has occurred and the struggle to help those in need is causing severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter.
Israel says 94 of the hostages are still held by Hamas, and 34 of them are presumed dead. Additionally, four Israelis were kidnapped before the war, two of whom were killed.
