US and Mediators Push Forward Deal to Free More Hostages

The Saudi news channel Al Arabiya reported overnight (Sunday to Monday), citing its sources, that the mediators and the United States are working to finalize a ceasefire agreement in Gaza before the end of this month. According to the report, the mediators are now in the penultimate stage of drafting the ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal.

The report also stated that there is an agreement in principle to increase the number of hostages to be released as part of the deal. Hamas is expected to provide the mediators with a detailed report on every hostage it is currently holding. The release of the hostages, according to the emerging agreement, will take place in two stages based on a defined timeline.

Discussions regarding the continued presence of Hamas leadership in the Gaza Strip will be postponed to a later stage. The United States has reportedly informed the mediators that it will apply pressure on Israel to accept the new agreement, under which humanitarian aid will also be allowed into Gaza and the border crossings will be reopened.

Last night, amid ongoing reports about the state of the negotiations, large crowds gathered outside the Jerusalem home of Ron Dermer, head of the Israeli negotiating team, calling for an agreement to bring back all the remaining hostages from Gaza—immediately and in a single phase.