Israel, Hamas agree on tentative outline of Gaza ceasefire deal, officials say: live updates

Two White House officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that a ceasefire agreement had been reached. Basem Naim, a Hamas official, also confirmed the agreement, although the Palestinian militant group has not yet issued an official statement.

President-elect Donald J. Trump also announced that a hostage deal had been reached, writing on social media that “THEY WILL BE RELEASED SOON.” Mr. Trump had threatened serious consequences if Israel and Hamas did not reach an agreement before his inauguration on January 20, which some officials credit with helping to advance negotiations.

If implemented, the ceasefire would allow the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel, after more than a year of devastating war that has killed tens of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed a large part of the enclave.

Neither Israel nor Hamas has publicly supported the deal, but the Palestinian group said Tuesday that negotiations had entered their “final phase,” and Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Wednesday evening that he returned early from a trip abroad to Israel. join cabinet discussions on hostages. Hamas said in a statement late Wednesday that it had responded to the proposed deal, without elaborating.

In order to implement the deal, the Hamas negotiating team at the talks in Doha, Qatar, must obtain consent from the group’s commanders in Gaza, including Muhammad Sinwar, whose brother Yahya led the group before being killed by Israel in October.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomacy.

Here’s what else you need to know:

• Negotiations: The latest round of negotiations is taking place in Qatar, a key mediator alongside Egypt and the United States. Majed al-Ansari, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, said on Tuesday that the two sides had overcome major disagreements.

• Right opposition: In Israel, some hardline members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government have also expressed opposition to the deal. But on Wednesday, Gideon Saar, Israel’s foreign minister, said he believed a majority would sign a deal if it came to a cabinet vote.

• Hostage talks: The deal on the table comes after months of shuttle diplomacy that failed to end the war in Gaza, which began after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Around 105 captives were later released during a week-long ceasefire in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners.

Abu Bakr Bashir And Gabby Sobelman reports contributed.