Israel and Hamas near Gaza ceasefire agreement – media

Sides close to finalizing talks that will potentially end 15-month conflict, CBS News reports, citing US and regional officials

Israel and Hamas are nearing an agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release. The deal is expected to bring an end to a devastating 15-month conflict, with key breakthroughs achieved in recent talks, CBS News has claimed, citing US, Israeli and Arab officials.

The final details of the deal are expected to be completed this week, with hopes high on all sides, “if all goes well,” CBS wrote on Tuesday. The implementation could begin by the weekend, and the parties have already begun drafting public statements of success.

On Monday, CBS News reported that the framework includes a 42-day truce, the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas, and a reciprocal exchange of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. If the Israeli government votes to ratify the deal shortly thereafter, the process could begin within days. This could mark the success of President Joe Biden’s long-sought ceasefire deal, with incoming President-elect Donald Trump expected to oversee its implementation.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized the urgency on Monday, stating: “We are close to a deal, and it can get done this week.”

The conflict, which began in October 2023 following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has resulted in over 46,000 deaths in Gaza, according to local health authorities.

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