Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to release hostages after meetings with the Qatari prime minister, a source familiar with the talks told the BBC.
The Israeli prime minister’s office said there were “several outstanding clauses” but hoped the deal could be finalized by Wednesday evening. A Hamas official earlier said it had approved the draft from mediators in Doha.
And the newly elected US President Donald Trump wrote on social networks: “We have a deal for hostages in the Middle East”.
The three-phase plan has not been announced, but 33 hostages held by Hamas will reportedly be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons during the first six weeks of the ceasefire.
Negotiations for the second phase – which should allow for the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and a “sustainable peace” – would begin in two weeks.
The third and final phase would involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of the hostages.
Once either Qatar or the US announce a deal, there will be several hurdles to overcome before the fighting stops and the first hostages are freed.
It must first be put to a vote in the Israeli government, perhaps as early as Thursday. It is expected to pass, but the far-right national security minister has said he will vote against it.
Then the Israeli government will announce the names of all Palestinian prisoners to be released, and will give the families of all victims 48 hours to appeal.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Since then, more than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there. Most of the 2.3 million population have also been displaced, destruction is widespread and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as the struggle to help those in need.
Israel says Hamas is still holding 94 hostages, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, four Israelis were kidnapped before the war, two of whom are dead.