Gaza: A ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip is reportedly on the brink of being finalised, with most terms already agreed upon, according to a senior official from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement. 

The official, who spoke anonymously, shared that the proposed agreement would involve a gradual cessation of hostilities and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. Additionally, the deal is expected to include a comprehensive prisoner-for-hostage exchange and a permanent end to the war between Hamas and Israel.

While some contentious issues are still being discussed, the official expressed optimism that these would not prevent a final agreement. The source also noted that the deal could be finalised before the end of the year, provided Israel does not impose new conditions.

The ongoing ceasefire negotiations are being mediated by Egypt and Qatar, with the involvement of the United States. These talks are based on a plan first introduced by the U.S. in May 2024, which aims to bring an end to the war that started on October 7, 2023, following a deadly attack by Hamas on southern Israel that resulted in around 1,200 deaths.

Palestinian factions express optimism

Leaders of three major Palestinian factions—Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine—have also expressed confidence that a ceasefire agreement is now "closer than ever." However, they stressed that Israel must stop imposing new conditions for the agreement to proceed. These remarks followed a meeting in Cairo on Friday, where representatives from the three factions reviewed the latest developments in the ceasefire negotiations and the prisoner-for-hostage exchange deal. 

The factions reiterated their commitment to ending the violence against the Palestinian people, which has now lasted for over 14 months. They also discussed the potential creation of a community support committee to help manage the post-war recovery in Gaza.

The negotiations are seen as a critical step towards finally bringing an end to the ongoing conflict, which has resulted in significant loss of life and widespread destruction in Gaza.

IANS