A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is edging closer amid concerns that the terror group is rearming up in Gaza
Like negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas approaches a decisive moment, the toll of the conflict continues to rise.
Today, the Israeli military reported that five soldiers were killed in Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, and eight were injured in a munitions explosion, one of the deadliest incidents in recent operations. On Sunday, four more soldiers were killed in Gaza. Meanwhile, Hamas has fired 20 rockets at Israel in the past two weeks, underscoring its continued ability to strike after 15 months of war.
Talks involving the US, Qatar and Egypt are said to be close to agreement. The draft agreement would ensure the release of 33 hostages of 98 – children, women, female soldiers, men over 50 and humanitarian cases – in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including high-profile prisoners. This phase is expected to last 42 days.
According to an Israeli official, most of the 33 hostages who were kidnap by Hamas from Israel on October 7, 2023, they are still alive. During this phase, humanitarian aid will be delivered to the Gaza Strip. Israel will reportedly release 50 prisoners for each hostage and 30 children and women for each hostage.
BIDEN CALLS FOR AN IMMEDIATE Ceasefire In Conversation With Israeli President Netanyahu
IDF soldiers battle terrorists in Gaza’s vital Netzarim corridor. (IDF Spokesperson Unit)
The deal would also include a significant Israeli concession that would allow a million displaced Palestinians to return to the northern Gaza Strip, a move that security experts warn could allow Hamas to regroup.
“The speed at which Hamas is rebuilding is faster than the speed at which the IDF is eradicating them,” retired IDF Brig. Gene. Amir Avivi said Wall Street Journal on Monday.
Avivi also told Israel Radio that the deal must include all hostages, but there is only one demand from Hamas that cannot be agreed to: “an end to the war.” He said that as long as ending the war was not part of the deal, “difficult concessions” could be made.
During his farewell foreign policy address at the State Department on Monday, President Biden said: “We are on the verge of finally making a proposal months ago come to fruition. We are pressing hard to close this – free the hostages, stop the fighting, secure Israel and ensure humanitarian aid to Gaza to The Palestinians deserve peace, Israel deserves peace, and we are working urgently to close this deal while addressing the challenges.”
Five IDF soldiers were killed in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday. Killed were, from left, Aviel Wiseman, Guy Karmiel, Yoav Feffer, Yahav Hadar and Yair Yakov Shushan.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the urgency in a statement: “We’ve been coordinating very closely with the new administration to present a unified message to all parties that says it’s in America’s national security interest … to get this deal done as quickly as possible. And now we think that these details are on the verge of being fully worked out, and the parties are one step away from closing this deal or not, the hours and days ahead will show.”
ISRAEL SENDS REPORT TO THE UN ON THE ‘BRUTAL’ TREATMENT OF GAZA HOSTAGES BY TERRORISTS
Biden and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke by phone on Sunday about the proposed ceasefire, reflecting high-level coordination between the US and Israel. US envoy Brett McGurk is stationed in Qatar working non-stop to finalize the agreement.
An Israeli couple with their national flag walks in front of graffiti calling for the release of Israeli hostages. (GIL COHEN-MAGEN/AFP via Getty Images/File)
The Israeli military has reported killing approximately 17,000 Hamas terrorists and imprisoning thousands more since the start of the war. Before the conflict, Hamas maintained a force of 30,000 terrorists organized into 24 battalions. While the IDF claims to have dismantled much of this structure, Hamas, which still controls large parts of Gaza, has not disclosed its losses or figures on new recruits. The Hamas-run Health Ministry claims that around 46,000 Gazans have been killed in the war so far.
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP
The cease-fire proposal sparked heated debate within the Israeli government. Most coalition members, including Netanyahu, support the deal, seeing it as a critical step toward hostage release. However, some members of the coalition on Netanyahu’s right strongly oppose the deal, citing security risks and fears that Hamas will use the pause to rebuild.
