Hamas Agrees to Key Ceasefire Terms with Israel Amid Hostage Deal Talks

Hamas has agreed to meet two of Israel's key demands for a ceasefire deal in Gaza, signaling a potential breakthrough in ongoing negotiations, according to a Wall Street Journal report. The ceasefire plan, proposed by Egypt and supported by the U.S., aims to temporarily allow the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to remain in Gaza during a pause in hostilities.

Additionally, Hamas has reportedly handed over a list of hostages, including U.S. citizens, to be released under the terms of a ceasefire agreement. This is a significant shift, as Hamas had not released hostages since November of the previous year.

The ceasefire plan builds on momentum from a recent ceasefire in Lebanon, and it reflects the growing urgency surrounding hostage negotiations. The Wall Street Journal further revealed that discussions have intensified, with Mossad chief David Barnea meeting with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in Doha to finalize the deal.

The release of hostages has been a central issue in the ongoing conflict. The new proposal aims to address this issue while laying the groundwork for direct talks between Israel and Hamas. The deal is set to be finalized before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20.

In related news, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the successful elimination of Hamas commander Fahmi Salami, responsible for orchestrating a deadly raid on the ‘Paga’ outpost on October 7. The operation resulted in the deaths of 14 IDF soldiers, and Salami's death marks a significant blow to Hamas's military operations in Gaza. He was killed in an Israeli airstrike while operating from a building previously used as a school.