NEW YORK (1010 WINS) -- Israel and Hamas are close to a hostage-ceasefire deal in which 33 hostages kidnapped during the terror group's Oct. 7, 2023 attack in Israel may soon be released during the first phase of such a deal, with the Israel Defense Forces kicking off a staged withdrawal from Gaza paired with the release of Palestinians in Israeli jails, according to multiple Israeli and U.S. reports, citing government officials.
The 33 hostages would meet certain humanitarian criteria: women, children, men over 55, and the ill, Israeli officials said. Palestinian prisoners responsible for killing Israelis would not be released to the West Bank, but to Gaza or foreign countries.
"There is talk of an agreement in the near future – it is impossible to say whether it is a matter of hours or days," an Israeli official told CNN.
The ceasefire would initially last 42 days.
People, including the families of hostages, walk at the front holding a 'Bring them home now' sign at the the Israel Day on Fifth parade on June 2, 2024 in New York City.Adam Gray/Getty Images
As of Monday, it's been 463 days since Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 terror attack in Israel, during which 254 people were taken hostages, including 12 Americans, according to the U.S. Department of State. More than 1,200 civilians were killed, including more than 40 American citizens, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.
The Israeli delegation currently in Doha, Qatar -- which includes Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) head Ronen Bar and Mossad Director David Barnea -- will stay in Gulf country "for the time being" potentially until a deal is signed, diplomatic sources told The Jerusalem Post.
A view over the Northern Gaza Strip as seen from the Israeli side of the border on December 11, 2024 in Southern Israel, Israel.Amir Levy/Getty Images
The Hamas delegation, meanwhile, said the talks were "progressing well," following a meeting with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha.
Once 15 days of the ceasefire have passed, negotiations would resume with the goal of releasing all of the hostages, with additional IDF withdrawals.
The IDF would maintain a presence along the Philadelphi Corridor – a narrow strip of land along the Egypt-Gaza border – during the first phase of the agreement, officials said.
