Israel and Hamas are reportedly nearing a ceasefire agreement and a deal for hostage releases. A three-phase plan involving phased hostage releases, troop withdrawals, and the return of displaced Gazans is under discussion. However, critical details remain unresolved, and Israel’s stated intention to maintain security control over Gaza after the war poses a challenge. The US, Qatar, and Egypt are mediating, with the incoming US administration adding urgency to the negotiations.
Hamas has made significant concessions to Israel in Gaza ceasefire talks, agreeing to Israeli military presence and releasing a list of hostages. A senior Biden administration official credits pressure from President-elect Donald Trump for the breakthrough. The deal includes Israeli control over key corridors and the Rafah border crossing, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners and increased humanitarian aid.
President Biden met with 4-year-old Abigail Edan, an American girl held captive in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas conflict. The meeting served as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to secure the release of dozens still held hostage by Hamas. Abigail’s tragic loss of her parents and subsequent captivity highlight the horrors of terrorism. Despite the trauma, Biden’s meeting with Abigail was a moment of joy amidst ongoing challenges.
The Islamist movement Hamas has released a video of an Israeli-American hostage it captured during an attack on southern Israel in October 2023, igniting protests in Jerusalem and calls for the government to do more to secure the release of the captives. The video shows Hersh Goldberg-Polin, who has been missing since the attack, accusing Israel’s government of abandoning hostages and claiming that some 70 captives have been killed in Israel’s bombing campaign. Goldberg-Polin’s family has appealed to world leaders and the United Nations for help, while protests in Jerusalem have called on the government to strike a deal with Hamas to bring the hostages home. Meanwhile, Hamas has stated that it will not release the remaining hostages unless Israel ends the war in Gaza.
