Trump celebrates agreement in Gaza but Israel speaks in points ‘are not resolved’

Israel and Hamas announce truce and release of hostages in Gaza while final impasses threaten the future of the mediated historical agreement in Doha

An informed source about the latest Doha negotiations told AFP that “a ceasefire agreement in Gaza and hostage release was reached after the Qatar Prime Minister meeting with Hamas negotiators and, separately, with Israeli negotiators in his desk”.

A US employee confirmed the agreement, which occurred in the last days of President Joe Biden’s government, who pressed strongly for a pact.

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that some issues in the agreement remain “unresolved,” although it expressed hope that the agreement will be “finished tonight.”

Protesters in Tel Aviv, who called for the liberation of the hostages, embraced as the news of the agreement spread, while thousands in Gaza celebrated the alleged pact to end the hostilities that devastated much of the Palestinian territory.

“I can’t believe this nightmare of over a year is finally coming to an end. We lost so many people, we lost everything, ”said Randa Sameeh, a 45 -year -old woman displaced from the city of Gaza to the Nusorde refugee camp in the center of the Gaza Strip.

The pressure to end the conflict has increased in recent days as mediators pick up, Egypt, and the United States have intensified efforts to consolidate an agreement.

Trump celebrates ‘Epic Agreement’

The announcement comes after months of failed attempts to end the deadliest war in Gaza’s history and a few days before the inauguration of US President -elect Donald Trump, who immediately entered into the deal, even before being officially announced by the White House.

“We have an agreement for hostages in the Middle East. They will be released soon. Thanks! ”Said Trump on his social truth network.

Trump had warned Hamas that would be “a high price” if they did not release the remaining hostages before his inauguration, and sent from his next administration, as well as the Biden government, were present in the latest negotiations.

“This epic ceasefire agreement was only possible as a result of our historic victory in November,” Trump added in a long second publication.

The president -elect said his White House “will continue to work closely with Israel and our allies to ensure that Gaza never becomes a refuge for terrorists.”

Hamas began the war in Gaza by performing the deadliest attack against Israel on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians, according to AFP count based on Israeli official numbers.

Palestinian militants also made 251 people hostage during the attack, 94 of which are still being kept in Gaza, including 34 that, according to the Israeli army, are dead.

Israel’s retaliation campaign in Gaza killed 46,707 people, mostly civilians, according to the numbers of the Hamas -controlled Ministry of Health, considered reliable by the UN.

Three phases

The al-Qahera Egyptian vehicle, linked to the government, said the structure agreement comprises three interconnected phases.

Al-Qahera cited an Egyptian security source that said the coordination is “underway” to reopen Rafah’s passage at the Gaza border with Egypt, “to allow international help to improve conditions.”

The state newspaper Al-Ahram also reported that negotiations to open the ticket are underway.

Israeli government spokesman David Mencer had previously said that the first phase of an agreement would result in the release of 33 Israeli hostages, while two Palestinian sources near Hamas told AFP that Israel would release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in return.

A source close to Hamas stated that the initial release of hostages would be “in lots, starting with children and women.”

Negotiations for a second phase would begin on the 16th day of the truce, said an Israeli employee, with reports from the media indicating that this phase would involve the release of the remaining hostages.

Impasse points

Among the setting points in successive rounds of negotiations were the disagreements about the permanence of any ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the scale of humanitarian aid to Palestinian territory.

UN Palestinian Refugee Agency, Unrwa, which faces a ban on Israel’s activities from the end of this month, said it will continue to provide the urgently necessary help.

Netanyahu, who promised to destroy Hamas as retaliation for the October 7 attack, has opposed any role of the militant group in the territory after the war.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that Israel will have to “accept the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank under the leadership of a reformed Palestinian authority” and embrace a “way towards the formation of a Palestinian state independent”.

He added that the “best incentive” to achieve Israelo-Palestinian peace remains the perspective of normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

The October 7 attack on communities in southern Israel generated worldwide outrage, as well as the scale of suffering in Gaza due to the retaliation war.

Worldwide powers and international organizations have been pressured for a ceasefire for months, but until Wednesday he had been out of reach.

With information from AFP*