Israel and Hamas are considering a three-stage deal that would release hostages in Gaza beginning with a six-week cease-fire, according to officials with knowledge of the draft agreement hashed out by international intelligence chiefs in Paris this week.
Washington says a deal to free more hostages and stop the clashes in Gaza is closer than at any time since the collapse of a cease-fire in December. Getting it over the line would mean surmounting internal divisions and entrenched differences between the warring sides. Officials say the obstacles make an imminent deal unlikely, but suggest that if they are overcome an agreement could be completed within a week to 10 days.
The willingness of both sides to even consider the architecture of a deal indicates a small but significant shift in negotiating stances. It also demonstrates the pressures on Israel and Hamas as the war in Gaza heads into its fifth month, having brought the region to the brink of full-blown regional conflict.
One important matter to be resolved in future negotiations is the ratio of Palestinian prisoners to be released in return for the hostages. Hamas has demanded the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners for each female Israeli soldier set free. Israel wants all soldiers held in Gaza, negotiators said. It couldn’t be determined how many prisoners Israel would let go in return.
Hamas has repeatedly said it would only be willing to release the hostages in exchange for a deal that would end the war, something that Israel has said it wouldn’t agree to. The current proposal reflects an attempt to bridge that gap by buying time to negotiate a long-term truce, according to officials familiar with the talks.
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