Israel and Hamas have agreed a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostage deal after meetings with the Qatari prime minister, a source familiar with the talks told the BBC.
There was no confirmation from the Israeli government or Hamas, but a Hamas official earlier told the BBC that Qatari, American and Egyptian mediators had approved the draft.
Newly elected US President Donald Trump, whose envoy was involved in the talks, also wrote on social media: “We have a deal for hostages in the Middle East.”
Details of the three-phase plan have not been released, but reports say 33 hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during the first six weeks of the ceasefire.
Negotiations for the second phase – which should allow for the release of the remaining hostages, the full withdrawal of Israeli troops and a “sustainable peace” – would begin in two weeks.
The third and final phase would involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something that could take years – and the return of any remaining bodies of the hostages.
The Israeli military launched a campaign to destroy Hamas in response to the group’s unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed around 1,200 people and took 251 hostages.
Since then, more than 46,700 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run health ministry there. Most of the 2.3 million population have also been displaced, destruction is widespread and there are severe shortages of food, fuel, medicine and shelter as the struggle to help those in need.
Israel says Hamas is still holding 94 hostages, 34 of whom are presumed dead. In addition, four Israelis were kidnapped before the war, two of whom are dead.
