After days of increasing optimism, Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani summoned the press last night to announce that Israel and Hamas had agreed on a ceasefire and hostage deal. The deal is complicated, delicate and full of moving parts. Phase one will see Hamas release 33 hostages, both living and dead: the old, the sick and women, including female soldiers. In return, Israel will release hundreds of terrorists including murderers, implement a six-week ceasefire in Gaza, withdraw from parts of the Strip and allow more aid to flow.
It doesn’t feel like the absolute victory that Netanyahu promised Israelis again and again
During that ceasefire, the parties will negotiate phase two, which would include releasing all remaining hostages, a major Israeli withdrawal, an end to the war and the beginning of reconstruction, presumably with Hamas leaders going into exile and an alternative government ruling Gaza.
If the deal sounds familiar, that’s because it’s essentially identical to the proposal that US president Joe Biden announced back in May.
Comments
Join the debate for just $5 for 3 months
Be part of the conversation with other Spectator readers by getting your first three months for $5.
UNLOCK ACCESS Just $5 for 3 monthsAlready a subscriber? Log in