Final version of Gaza ceasefire agreement submitted following ‘breakthrough’

Mediators presented Israel and Hamas with a final version of an agreement on Monday aimed at ending the conflict in Gaza, an official informed about the discussions stated, following a midnight “breakthrough” in negotiations that included representatives of both Joe Biden and Donald Trump.

An official reported that Qatar proposed a ceasefire agreement and hostage release text to both parties during discussions in Doha, which involved the leaders of Israel’s Mossad and Shin Bet intelligence agencies, as well as Qatar’s prime minister. The official mentioned that Steve Witkoff, set to become U.S. envoy when Trump resumes the presidency next week, was present at the discussions. A source from the U.S. indicated that the departing Biden administration’s representative Brett McGurk was present as well.

“The following 24 hours will be crucial in finalizing the agreement,” the official stated, describing the draft as the result of a breakthrough achieved in the early hours of Monday.

On Monday, Israel’s Kan radio, referencing an Israeli official, announced that both Israeli and Hamas delegations in Qatar had obtained a draft, and that the Israeli delegation had updated Israel’s leaders. Israel, Hamas, and Qatar’s foreign ministry did not reply to requests for confirmation or comment. Officials from both parties, although not confirming that a final draft has been completed, indicated that progress has been made in the negotiations.

A high-ranking Israeli official stated that an agreement might be reached in a few days if Hamas responds to a proposal. A Palestinian official involved in the discussions stated that updates from Doha were “very encouraging”, remarking: “Differences are being reduced and there is a strong effort toward a deal if everything proceeds well until the conclusion.” The United States, Qatar, and Egypt have spent over a year trying to facilitate negotiations to resolve the conflict in Gaza, with no success thus far.

For months, both parties have reached a general consensus on the idea of ceasing hostilities in exchange for the freedom of hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Nonetheless, Hamas has consistently maintained that the agreement should result in a permanent cessation of hostilities and an Israeli exit from Gaza, whereas Israel has stated it will not conclude the war until Hamas is dismantled. Trump’s inauguration on Jan. 20 is now largely perceived in the area as an unofficial deadline. The president-elect has stated that there would be “serious consequences” unless the hostages held by Hamas are released before he assumes office, while the outgoing President Biden has also strongly advocated for an agreement before his departure.

The official mentioned that discussions continued into the early hours of Monday, with Witkoff urging the Israeli team in Doha and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani encouraging Hamas representatives to reach a final agreement. The official stated that Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, the leader of Egypt’s general intelligence agency, was present in the Qatari capital for the discussions.

Trump envoy Witkoff has made multiple trips to Qatar and Israel since late November. On Friday, he was in Doha, then flew to Israel to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday before heading back to Doha. On Sunday, Biden had a phone conversation with Netanyahu, emphasizing “the urgent requirement for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages, alongside a boost in humanitarian aid facilitated by a halt in the combat as per the agreement,” according to the White House.

Israel initiated its offensive in Gaza following the incursion of Hamas militants across its borders in October 2023, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and the capture of over 250 hostages, as per Israeli records.

Since then, over 46,000 individuals have died in Gaza, as per Palestinian health officials, with much of the territory devastated and the majority of its people uprooted. Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, a staunch nationalist who has resisted earlier efforts to secure an agreement, condemned the newest proposals as a “capitulation” and a “disaster for the nation’s security in Israel”. Violence persisted in Gaza on Monday, with Israeli military assaults claiming the lives of at least 21 individuals, according to medics, among them five who died in an Israeli attack on a school in Gaza City that was housing displaced families.

For the past few months, clashes have been especially severe at the northern boundary of Gaza, where Israel claims it is attempting to stop Hamas from reassembling, while Palestinians charge that Israel aims to permanently clear a buffer zone. Hamas’s armed wing spokesperson, Abu Ubaida, stated that the group’s militants assaulted Israeli troops in the region, resulting in the deaths of at least 10 soldiers and wounding many others over the last 72 hours. Israel announced on Saturday that four soldiers were killed.