Reports from Arab sources indicate that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar has agreed in principle to the terms of the agreement.
However, the Lebanese newspaper Al-Akhbar reports that the signing of the deal has been delayed due to Hamas’s demand for precise maps of the IDF’s withdrawal from Gaza. Negotiators quoted in the paper stated that while Hamas has expressed agreement in principle, they seek guarantees that Israel will fulfill its commitments. Despite this, the negotiators noted that “it is unlikely this technical issue will hinder the signing of the deal, which could happen at any moment, likely within the next 48 hours.”
Challenges in Finalizing the Details
The Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that a ceasefire agreement has already been reached, but delays persist due to disagreements over implementation mechanisms and mutual guarantees. Saudi news channel Al-Hadath reported earlier that Hamas requested a few additional hours to review the agreement’s clauses before providing a final response.
Israeli Preparations in Full Swing
Israeli officials have denied that the delay stems from the map issue, attributing it to other complexities. In Jerusalem, officials receive constant updates from negotiating teams in Doha, working to close all details in a deal that remains a puzzle of intricate components.
Preparations in Israel include potential cabinet and government meetings to approve the deal. The Justice Ministry is ready to publish a list of prisoners slated for release, allowing for petitions to the High Court of Justice as part of required bureaucratic steps.
Security officials noted that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior defense officials are focusing their schedules on finalizing the deal.
Hostage Release Could Start Sunday
Prime Minister Netanyahu held a special meeting overnight with senior defense officials, instructing them to prepare for immediate cabinet and government sessions. If the deal progresses as planned, the first hostages could be released as early as Sunday. However, the likelihood depends on Hamas’s response.
According to a report on Israeli Channel N12, the current framework proposes the release of three hostages on the first day of the deal, followed by weekly releases of additional groups. By the seventh day, Israel is expected to receive a full list of living hostages, though Hamas is unlikely to disclose in advance who will be released at each stage.
Operation ‘Derech Eretz’ to Bring Them Home
The operation to retrieve the hostages, dubbed “Derech Eretz,” has been meticulously planned to ensure their safety at every stage. The plan specifies the number of hostages to be released in each phase, their identities, and their medical conditions. The Red Cross will facilitate the transport of hostages within Gaza, with exit points potentially located in the north, center, or south of the Strip.
At Israel’s border, IDF and Shin Bet forces will verify identities and conduct initial debriefings alongside medical teams ready to provide immediate care. After initial evaluations, hostages will be flown to hospitals, where medical staff and social workers will provide comprehensive medical and psychological support. Only after this process will they reunite with their families.
As previously reported, Israeli hospitals and the healthcare system are preparing to receive the hostages with a focus on privacy, rehabilitation, and tailored care. Hostages will be placed in separate, sterile facilities to ensure maximum privacy. Given their complex physical and emotional conditions, they will require extended hospitalization, including blood tests, CT scans, X-rays, and evaluations for physical or sexual abuse. Medical teams, trained in coordination with the military, are prepared for rapid and thorough response.
