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Negotiations for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas reach a decisive moment as the toll of the conflict continues to grow. The Israeli military reported that five soldiers were killed in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, and eight injured from an ammunition explosion, one of the deadliest incidents in recent operations.
Hamas has fired 20 rockets at Israel over the past two weeks, highlighting its continued ability to launch attacks after 15 months of war. Negotiations involving the U.S., Qatar, and Egypt are reportedly close to an agreement, which would secure the release of 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile detainees.
The proposed deal would last 42 days, during which humanitarian aid would be delivered to the Gaza Strip. Israel would release 50 prisoners for every female hostage and 30 children and women for every hostage. Additionally, Israel would allow 1 million displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, a move that security experts warn could enable Hamas to regroup.
Retired IDF Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi warned that the pace at which Hamas is rebuilding itself is higher than the pace of the IDF eradicating them. “The deal has to include all the hostages,” he said, “but there’s only one Hamas demand that can’t be agreed to: ending the war. As long as ending the war isn’t part of the deal, then ‘hard concessions’ can be made.”
President Biden called for an immediate cease-fire, saying, “We’re on the brink of a proposal laid down months ago finally coming to fruition. We’re pressing hard to close this – free the hostages, halt the fighting, secure Israel and ensure humanitarian aid to Gaza. Palestinians deserve peace, Israel deserves peace, and we are working urgently to close this deal as we address the challenges.”
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the urgency, saying, “We have coordinated very closely with the incoming administration to present a united message to all the parties, which says it is in the American national security interest… to get this deal done as fast as possible. And now we think those details are on the brink of being fully hammered out, and the parties are right on the cusp of being able to close this deal.”
