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Top US officials have alluded that a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal between Israel and Hamas is nearing completion, marking a critical diplomatic effort to halt the 15-month war in Gaza and secure the return of hostages.

Some shit you should know before you read: According to Israeli officials, Hamas is currently holding 94 hostages taken that have been in captivity for over a year following Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7. Hamas has demanded the release of Palestinian detainees (some charged with crimes and some not) from Israeli prisons, a reduction of Israel’s military buffer zone in Gaza to its pre-October 7 size (1,000+ feet), and assurances that Israel will adhere to the ceasefire agreement. Israel, in contrast, has demanded the immediate release of hostages, the maintenance of a larger buffer zone inside Gaza (up to 2,000 meters), and guarantees that Hamas will not use the ceasefire period to rearm or rebuild its military capabilities.

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What’s going on now: While speaking to reporters at the White House, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan expressed optimism about the progress of a ceasefire and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas, emphasizing that the US is “so close” to finalizing the agreement. Sullivan noted that the Biden administration has been working closely with Qatar, Israel, and Hamas through indirect negotiations in Doha to structure a deal that includes a 42-day ceasefire, the release of 33 hostages in the first phase, and expanded humanitarian aid to Gaza. Brett McGurk, President Biden’s top Middle East official, has been leading the US delegation in Qatar, working alongside Steve Witkoff, the incoming special envoy for the Trump administration.

The proposed deal is being held up by unresolved issues, including disagreements over the size and scope of the buffer zone Israel seeks to maintain within Gaza and Hamas’ demand for guarantees that Israel will not resume hostilities after the initial hostage release. Additionally, Hamas has sought assurances that Palestinian detainees would be released from Israeli prisons as part of the agreement, while Israel remains concerned about the potential for Hamas to exploit the ceasefire to rebuild its military capacity.

This all comes as families from both sides are pushing for the deal to be accepted due to the human cost of the ongoing war. In Israel, relatives of the hostages have formed human chains outside the Knesset, holding banners with the names and faces of captives and demanding their safe return. On the Palestinian side, families of detainees in Israeli prisons are advocating for their loved ones’ release as part of the negotiations.

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