The Washington Post is reporting, Wednesday, that “the framework is agreed” for a Gaza ceasefire agreement, although a lot of work still remains on finalizing a lot of complex details.
According to the WP, Israel and Hamas have both signaled their acceptance of an “interim governance” plan, in which a US-backed force, drawn from supporters of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, would provide security.
Hamas have reportedly told mediators they are “prepared to relinquish authority to the interim government”, claim the WP, citing US officials.
Israel have also agreed to this part of the proposal, on the condition that they vet candidates for the 2,500 strong security force.
This “interim governance” plan would be a temporary force constituting part of the second phase of the three-phase ceasefire deal.
The hope is that, as this interim force expands security in postwar Gaza, it can move into the third phase of the peace proposal, which the UN Security Council described in a resolution passed last month, as a “multi-year reconstruction plan.”
“Sufficient” progress
On Thursday morning, Israeli media reported that the negotiating teams had returned to Israel after “technical” visits to Qatar. These were sent after significant progress had been made in the talks. At the same time, another team was sent to Cairo to continue the talks.
Three main issues were at the heart of the talks: the exchange of prisoners to be released under the first phase of the plan, security and the Israeli military presence in southern Gaza along the border with Egypt, and interim governance, according to Qatar’s Al Jazeera.
For its part, the United States expressed “cautious optimism” about the hostage-taking negotiations against a ceasefire in Gaza, White House national security spokesman John Kirby told CNN, adding that the differences between the two sides could be narrowed.
“There are still gaps between the two sides. We think those gaps can be reduced, and that’s what Brett McGurk and William Burns, director of the CIA, are trying to do right now,” he added.
Starmer in Washington
Meanwhile, the new British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, also stressed the importance of securing a ceasefire when he met US President Joe Biden at the White House. Although the talks focused on Ukraine due to Nato’s 75th anniversary summit, they also discussed a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to free hostages and end the conflict. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution.
