Gaza ceasefire agreement 'closer than ever' as officials push for deal

A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is reportedly imminent, with most of its terms already agreed upon, a senior official from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement said on Saturday.

The official stated that the proposed agreement includes a gradual cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. The final deal is expected to cover a comprehensive prisoner-for-hostage exchange and a permanent end to the war between Hamas and Israel.

While some contentious points remain under negotiation, they are not anticipated to pose significant obstacles to reaching a final agreement, the official added.

The source also expressed optimism that the agreement could be finalized before the end of the year, provided Israel does not introduce new conditions.

'Closer than ever'

Leaders of three Palestinian factions agreed that a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is "closer than ever," if Israel stops setting new conditions, Hamas said on Saturday.

These remarks followed a meeting in Cairo on Friday involving leaders from Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to a statement from Hamas.

The factions reviewed the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations and the prisoner-for-hostage exchange deal. They reaffirmed their collective commitment to ending the "aggression" against the Palestinian people, which has persisted for over 14 months, the statement said.

The delegations also discussed the possibility of forming a community support committee to manage the rebuilding and recovery of post-war Gaza.

Ongoing negotiations, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with the involvement of the United States, are based on a U.S.-proposed plan introduced in May to resolve the conflict. The war began on October 7, 2023, following a Hamas attack on southern Israel that resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths.

One-package deal or phased approach?

Sources close to the mediation efforts said Hamas had pushed for a one-package deal but Israel wanted a phased one. Talks are focused on a first-phase release of hostages, dead or alive, as well as a number of Palestinians jailed by Israel.

On Tuesday, the sides discussed the numbers and categories of those to be released, but things have yet to be finalized, said a source who spoke anonymously because of the sensitivity of the talks.

The source said one issue was Israel's demand to retain the right to act against any possible military threat from Gaza and the stationing of Israeli forces during phases of the deal.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel will have security control over Gaza with full freedom of action after defeating Hamas.

On Thursday, Human Rights Watch said Israel had killed thousands of Palestinians in Gaza by denying them clean water, an act it claims legally constitutes genocide and extermination.

Israel's foreign ministry accused the rights group of lying, saying Israel had facilitated the continuous flow of water and humanitarian aid into Gaza since the start of the war despite constant attacks by Hamas.

(With input from agencies)