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Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu Says End of Gaza War Near Amid Reports of Ceasefire and Hostage Exchange
(TJV) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has informed families of hostages taken by Hamas that the war in Gaza is nearing its end. This announcement follows reports of a breakthrough in negotiations for a ceasefire and a hostage exchange deal. Netanyahu suggested a formal agreement could be announced within hours.
“We are super close,” an Israeli source told The Jerusalem Post. Axios reported Wednesday morning that “a breakthrough has been reached in the negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Doha, and a deal to release hostages held by Hamas and establish a ceasefire in Gaza is imminent,” citing three Israeli officials.
According to an Israeli official quoted by Axios, Hamas’ military leader in Gaza, Mohammed Sinwar, has given his approval for the deal.
Reported Details of the Deal
The agreement reportedly includes a six-week ceasefire with a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza, Axios reported. The return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza is also part of the proposal, Times of Israel reported. In addition, dozens of Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released in exchange for each Israeli hostage, Reuters stated.
Of the approximately 100 hostages believed to be held by Hamas, one-third are feared deceased, AFP reported. Some were freed during an earlier exchange in the conflict, Axios noted.
Details of the Agreement:
▪ Ceasefire for six weeks;
▪ Gradual withdrawal of IDF troops from the Gaza Strip;
▪ 600 humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza;
▪ Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages;
▪ Israel will release 30 Hamas terrorists for each kidnapped civilian;
▪ Israel will release 50 Hamas terrorists for each kidnapped female soldier.
Official Responses and Next Steps
A second Israeli official expressed optimism that an announcement could come by Thursday, Axios reported. However, Netanyahu’s office clarified that while verbal approvals have been reported, Hamas has not yet provided formal written confirmation, Times of Israel stated.
Both Reuters and AFP reported that Hamas had verbally approved the deal but had yet to issue a written response. Times of Israel also cited Palestinian sources confirming this. Israeli ministers are reportedly preparing for a possible Wednesday night vote on the agreement, Channel 12 reported.
Domestic Political Tensions
Not all Israeli officials support the proposed deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has threatened to leave Netanyahu’s governing coalition if the ceasefire and hostage exchange proceeds. “Over the past year, through our political power, we have managed to prevent this deal from coming to fruition time after time,” Ben Gvir said Tuesday, Channel 12 reported.
Critics of Netanyahu, both within Israel and abroad, have accused him of stalling past peace efforts in favor of escalating military operations in Gaza. Protests have persisted in Tel Aviv, with demonstrators opposing Netanyahu’s handling of the conflict, Axios report
Evil Antisemite outlandish LIAR Biden flanked by Israel’s enemies Blinken and Harris is publicly announcing the “end of the war”, and representing that the Muslim monster Palestinians will have a “state of their own”! This pathetic pretense of a “deal” is despite, in no way because, of piece of shit Israel’s enemy Biden.