DOHA — Qatar announced that negotiations for a Gaza truce and hostage release deal are in their "final stages," with hopes for an agreement to be reached "very soon." The talks, involving Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, aim to secure a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with security officials late yesterday to discuss the deal, while U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized that the deal is ready to be implemented once Hamas agrees. U.S. President Joe Biden and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi also stressed the need for flexibility from both sides.

While the first phase of the deal could see 33 Israeli hostages freed in exchange for approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, obstacles remain, including disagreements over ceasefire terms, humanitarian aid, and Israeli troop withdrawal from Gaza. Despite opposition from far-right Israeli ministers, some Israeli officials believe a majority in the government would support the agreement.

As talks progress, the situation in Gaza remains dire, with ongoing Israeli airstrikes killing dozens, including six in the Jenin refugee camp. Families of hostages and Palestinians in Gaza anxiously await the outcome, stressing the urgency of finalizing the deal.