The Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reported Monday morning, citing Egyptian sources, that recent progress in negotiations stems from Israeli officials' adoption of "positive language" and assurances from Egyptian and Qatari mediators regarding Hamas' commitment to agreed-upon terms, with conflicting reports on whether a final draft had been submitted to the sides.
According to Egyptian sources, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks an agreement that would satisfy US President-elect Donald Trump's administration while preserving the option to resume military operations under various circumstances after securing the return of the maximum possible hostages.
The report indicates that while the final numbers and identities of operatives slated for release remain undefined, Israel insists that senior operatives included in the deal be deported abroad.
The newspaper identified Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey as the designated deportation destinations. This relocation would commence immediately upon the agreement's implementation. The report adds that negotiations for subsequent phases would proceed during the initial stage, which includes a timeline for releasing at least 33 living hostages.
According to Al-Akhbar, Egypt and Qatar have guaranteed that Hamas would not retain control over Gaza, with a new governance mechanism planned for the Strip's future administration. The agreement reportedly includes an IDF "tactical withdrawal" from several Gaza Strip locations, while maintaining the capability to respond to any activities deemed military in nature.
Arab and American official sources speaking to the Associated Press revealed that overnight negotiations yielded significant progress toward a hostage deal and ceasefire, with a concrete proposal now under consideration. An insider familiar with the discussions stated that "mediators have presented the draft agreement to both parties," with the next 24 hours described as decisive, however, Israeli officials denied receiving any such proposal, according to Reuters.
Egyptian officials maintain that the current terms represent "the best achievable outcome for all parties involved." They assert that "Egyptian and Qatari guarantees lend substantial credibility to the agreement and its provisions."
In a related development, Qadura Fares, head of the Palestinian Authority's Prisoners Affairs Committee, told Al-Araby of his planned visit to Doha "to verify exchange deal criteria." The Palestinian official clarified that he operates independently from Hamas' negotiating team.
The Palestinian Authority senior official outlined their demands for "the release of all women and minors, 200 life-sentence prisoners, and 500 sick and elderly prisoners." Recent foreign reports suggest the release numbers could reach several hundred, though exact figures remain unconfirmed at this stage.
An Israeli delegation comprising Mossad Chief David Barnea, Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar, and Major General (ret.) Nitzan Alon departed yesterday for Qatar to participate in final negotiation stages. The talks include Trump's Middle East envoy and Brett McGurk, Biden administration's Middle East envoy. A Jerusalem political source emphasized that "the coming days are crucial for deal advancement."
The delegation's departure follows recent negotiation progress and Netanyahu's Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing Gal Hirsch, Defense Minister Israel Katz, and security chiefs. To streamline decision-making, the Qatar-based Israeli delegation maintains continuous communication with Netanyahu's team via a dedicated "hotline," eliminating the need for repeated travel.
