 "A man waves Palestinian flags as Palestinians react to news on a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Deir Al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, January 15, 2025. File Image/Reuters")
A last-minute dispute has emerged over the Gaza ceasefire-for-hostages deal, with US envoys working to resolve the issue, an official said Thursday (January 16).
The disagreement centers on the identities of several prisoners Hamas demands to be released, the official said, adding that the matter is expected to be resolved soon.
President Joe Biden’s West Asia envoy, Brett McGurk, and President-elect Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, are in Doha working with Qatari and Egyptian negotiators to address the issue, the official said.
“We’re aware of these issues, and we are working through them with the Israeli government and other partners in the region. We are confident these implementing details can be hammered out and that the deal will move forward this weekend,” White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said separately.
The agreement, reached Wednesday (January 15), is scheduled to be implemented on Sunday (January 19).
Deal provisions
The ceasefire agreement includes a six-week initial phase involving the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. During this period, 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid will be allowed into Gaza daily, with 50 carrying fuel and 300 allocated to the north.
Hamas is set to release 33 Israeli hostages in stages, prioritizing women, children, and men over 50.
In exchange, Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for each civilian hostage and 50 detainees for each Israeli female soldier.
All Palestinian women and children under 19 detained since October 7, 2023 are to be released by the end of the first phase.
The agreement, overseen by Qatar, Egypt, and the US, includes guarantees for implementation. Further negotiations are planned by the 16th day of the first phase, aiming to release all remaining hostages and establish a permanent ceasefire. A third phase will focus on the return of all remaining bodies and initiate Gaza’s reconstruction.
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View AllWith inputs from Reuters