The Haaretz newspaper reported that the military had approved several plans for a rapid withdrawal of troops from Gaza as talks progressed.
It considered options such as withdrawing troops through the Netzarim corridor, which bisects Gaza.
Despite establishing extensive infrastructure and positions in the area, the military announced it may “evacuate” troops, with the government and Palestinian resistance reaching an agreement that includes a rapid troop withdrawal from Gaza. He emphasized his readiness to implement any agreements reached.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office said earlier that a delegation led by Mossad chief David Balnea and Shin Bet internal security chief Ronen Barr would visit Qatar to continue negotiations.
Prior to the announcement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with Steve Witkoff, US President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East.
The daily newspaper Yedioth Ahronos also reported, citing political sources, that 90% of the details of the prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas have been finalized.
Sources claimed that the main point of conflict between the two parties is that Hamas wants “guarantees” that Israel will implement the second phase of the agreement and link it with the first phase.
The paper added that Hamas is concerned that Netanyahu could restart the war after the first phase of the deal is completed.
Hamas also announced the completion of a draft agreement for a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip, which is awaiting Israeli approval, signaling possible progress in efforts to end hostilities.
A spokesman for the Palestinian resistance group Jihad Taha told the London-based pan-Arab news outlet Al-Arab Al-Jadeed TV that mediators had completed a draft outlining the terms of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange. spoke.
He said they were waiting for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s representatives in Doha to approve the deal and sign the agreement.
Ceasefire negotiations are reportedly progressing positively, with Qatar-based Al Arabi TV citing Hamas officials as saying they were close to a conclusion. The next few hours are said to be crucial for finalizing the deal.
Al-Arabi TV added that in the early stages of the draft, Israel would withdraw from certain points, including the Rafah border crossing in southern Gaza and part of the Philadelphia Corridor, a buffer zone on the border between Gaza and Egypt. One week after the start of the ceasefire, the prisoners will be released and Israel will withdraw from the agreed area.
Qatar, Egypt and the United States will hold press conferences to clarify details, implementation schedules and start dates, the paper noted.
US President Joe Biden confirmed on Thursday that progress had been made on the agreement.
The Israeli military has been waging a genocidal war in the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, killing more than 46,500 people, despite a UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire. Most are women and children.
In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Galant on charges of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.
Israel also faces a genocide lawsuit at the International Court of Justice for its war in the enclave.
MNA
