29 January 2024
A framework for a hostage release and pause in the fighting in Gaza has been agreed by negotiators, officials revealed tonight.
Families of Israeli hostages gather for a demonstration demanding an immediate deal as they block off a road near the Israeli Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv on January 29, 2024
Representatives from Israel, the US, Egypt and Qatar struck the potential deal following talks in Paris and it was expected to be proposed to Hamas today.
But the terror group tonight restated its position that it wants a ‘complete and comprehensive ceasefire’ in Gaza, not a temporary truce,’ and that once the fighting stops ‘the rest of the details can be discussed’ including a hostage release.
More than 100 hostages have yet to be released – almost four months after they were kidnapped during raids on Israel on October 7.
The deal will reportedly see the release of Hamas-held hostages in phases, along with pauses in fighting and deliveries of aid to Gaza.
Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are also expected to be freed. Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said the deal still needed to be relayed to Hamas but ‘good progress’ had been made.
He said he hoped Hamas would ‘engage positively and constructively in the process’. US President Joe Biden called him for talks about the issues last week.
An Israeli broadcaster, Channel 12, reported that the framework included a 45-day pause in fighting in exchange for the release of 35 hostages. Up to 250 Palestinians could also be released.
Israel Hayom, a Hebrew language newspaper, said Israeli envoys told negotiators their government would not agree to end the war.
The officials from Mossad and Shin Bet reportedly said Israel was willing to negotiate pauses in fighting, prisoner releases and deliveries of aid. The Israeli prime minister’s office said some reports of the terms of the deal were not correct and would not be accepted.
