Hey everyone, here’s a major development from the Middle East that’s catching eyes worldwide. In a bold move, Hamas announced on Wednesday that it has reached an agreement with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on a general framework for a Gaza ceasefire. According to the statement, the deal would see the release of 10 Israeli hostages (plus several bodies) in exchange for an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, with mediators ensuring the swap goes smoothly. 😮
The proposal, if it goes ahead, aims to bring a permanent ceasefire along with a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip. It also envisions a rapid handover of administrative control to a dedicated committee and guarantees the steady flow of humanitarian aid—an approach that Hamas says could help end what it describes as a brutal war on the Strip.
However, not everyone is on board. While a Hamas official confirmed that the deal was accepted earlier this week, Steve Witkoff has denied that any acceptance of his proposal took place. Meanwhile, reports indicate that Israeli officials remain skeptical. Observers note that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insists on strict conditions—demanding that Hamas withdraws from Gaza’s governance, disarms, and that its leaders step aside before any cessation of hostilities is considered.
Experts like Abdel Mohdy Motawe from the Middle East Forum for Strategic Studies stress that these stringent conditions have widespread support in Israel and the U.S., making a full stop to the conflict a tough sell. Similarly, Mokhtar Ghobashy of the Al-Farabi Center for Studies in Egypt warns that the current approach might lead to further displacement of Palestinians without adequate international pressure.
Keep in mind, as you scroll through your feeds and catch up on global trends, that these negotiations are evolving fast—much like the latest tech updates you don’t want to miss. Stay tuned for more news as events unfold!
Reference(s):
Hamas says reached agreement with U.S. over Gaza ceasefire framework
cgtn.com
