Discussions continued into the night from Wednesday to Thursday in Doha to finalize the last details of the hostage agreement, as Hamas tries to extract additional concessions. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office reported further complications: “The prime minister held a conference call with the negotiating team in Doha, who reported on Hamas’ last-minute attempts to renege on the May 27 agreements. .”
According to the Prime Minister’s office, “contrary to an explicit clause granting Israel a veto over the release of major symbolic terrorists, Hamas demands to dictate the identity of these prisoners.” Netanyahu instructed his negotiators “to stick to the agreements reached and categorically reject Hamas’ attempts at blackmail.”
Despite these tensions, the agreement appears on track to be signed today, with Qatar and the United States having already officially announced its conclusion. The Israeli security cabinet is due to meet in the afternoon, in the presence of the heads of the Shin Bet and Mossad who will present the details of the system after their return from Doha.
A government meeting will immediately follow for the final vote on the agreement. Although Ministers Smotrich and Ben Gvir oppose it, approval is expected by a large majority. The list of prisoners who will be released will then be published on the website of the Ministry of Justice, with a deadline of 48 hours for possible appeals to the Supreme Court.
The agreement provides for the staggered release of the hostages: first three women on Sunday, then four others on the seventh day. This will be followed by people aged over 50 and the injured, including Yarden Bibas. The remains of the deceased hostages will be returned last. In exchange, Israel will release 290 prisoners sentenced to life and 1,687 other detainees, including a thousand arrested since October 7.
On the ground, meetings took place between Israeli officials and the Red Cross to organize the transfer of the hostages. The IDF continues its air and ground operations in Gaza until the ceasefire comes into force, scheduled for Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Preparations are also continuing for the release of Palestinian prisoners, a complex operation since some will be transferred to Judea and Samaria, others to Gaza, and the rest abroad.
During the first 42 days of the ceasefire, Israel will maintain a 700-meter buffer zone inside Gaza and retain control of the Philadelphi and Netzarim axes, while carrying out a gradual withdrawal from other areas. Palestinians will be able to return to northern Gaza, but without weapons. The agreement also provides for a significant increase in humanitarian aid, which will reach around 600 trucks per day. An American company will be responsible for inspecting vehicles crossing the Netzarim axis.
Negotiations for the second phase, which is expected to include the release of hostage soldiers and lead to a permanent ceasefire, will begin before the 16th day of the first phase. A third phase will concern the return of remains and the reconstruction of Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar and the UN.
The Israeli army will begin a gradual withdrawal during the truce, while maintaining a presence in the “buffer zone” around the Gaza Strip to protect border communities.
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