Israel, US and Hamas close to first landmark deal in Gaza?

The hostage release could begin in the coming days and is expected to lead to the first lasting ceasefire in the Hamas-Israel conflict in the Gaza Strip, according to sources familiar with the matter.

Under the terms of a detailed six-page agreement obtained by The Washington Post , the warring parties will suspend combat operations for at least five days. In addition, at least 50 of the initial 239 hostages held by Hamas will be released in batches every 24 hours. Overhead surveillance will track any movement on the ground during the ceasefire.

Smoke rises after an explosion in Gaza on November 18.

The potential deal is also aimed at allowing a significant increase in the amount of humanitarian assistance, including fuel, into Gaza through the Egyptian gateway.

The outline of the deal was hammered out during weeks of talks in the Qatari capital Doha between Israel, the US and Hamas, according to Arab diplomats . However, it remains unclear whether Israel will agree to halt its offensive in Gaza.

A spokesman for the Israeli Embassy in Washington said late on November 18 that “we will not comment” on any aspect of the hostage situation.

Concerns over the arrests, along with the growing number of Palestinian civilian casualties, have led to increased international pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. More than 100 countries have called for an immediate and complete ceasefire.

The decision to accept the deal was difficult for Israel, one source said. While there was strong domestic pressure on Netanyahu to repatriate the hostages, there were also loud voices in Israel urging the government not to trade off a ceasefire with Hamas.

In public, Israel has remained unyielding, acknowledging the pressure on it. In comments on November 18, Netanyahu said his government was working to ensure the best possible care for the hostages, according to AFP. But he stressed that the offensive would continue, even if Israel allowed fuel and aid to flow into Gaza.

Meanwhile, the families of the hostages and thousands of people earlier marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem to demand government action. Many said the lives of innocent Israelis were worth any short-term deal the government had to make to keep them safe.

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