After months of painful negotiations, it appears that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden is close to reaching a ceasefire agreement that would halt the violent fighting in Gaza, free some Israeli captives held by Hamas, and provide urgent humanitarian assistance to Palestinian civilians. According to an opinion piece published in the Washington Post, a senior U.S. official stated that "the general framework has been agreed upon" and that the parties "are now negotiating the details of how to implement it." Officials warn that despite the existence of a framework, the final agreement is likely not imminent, and the details are complex and will take time to work out.
According to U.S. officials, the agreement envisions resolving the conflict in three phases, as reported by the Washington Post. The first phase consists of a six-week ceasefire during which Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, including all female prisoners, all men over the age of fifty, and all injured individuals. Phase one also includes Israel releasing hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from its jails and withdrawing its forces from densely populated areas towards the eastern border of Gaza, along with the flow of humanitarian aid, the repair of hospitals, and the beginning of debris removal.
The second phase, according to the Washington Post, is where the difficulties lie, as Hamas would release the remaining male soldiers it holds, and both sides would agree to a "permanent cessation of hostilities" with a "complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza." However, both parties fear that the other may exploit the initial pause to rearm and return to fighting, with Israel wanting to ensure it achieves its primary goal of preventing Hamas from ruling Gaza again.
Both Israel and Hamas have indicated their acceptance of a "temporary governance" plan that would begin with phase two, where neither Hamas nor Israel would govern Gaza. Trained security forces supported by moderate Arab allies and consisting of around 2,500 vetted supporters of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza would take responsibility for security. Hamas has informed mediators that it is "prepared to cede power in favor of a temporary governance arrangement," according to a U.S. official.
