Israel-Gaza Peace Agreement's 'Final Draft' and Prisoner Exchange Deal Nearing Completion - Qatar

Israel-Gaza Peace Agreement's 'Final Draft' and Prisoner Exchange Deal Nearing Completion - Qatar

Israel on Monday denied a news report that Qatar had delivered the "final draft" of a Gaza peace agreement and prisoner exchange plan to Israel and Hamas. According to a report from Haaretz, Israeli sources said no final draft had been sent.

However, the report mentioned that there was a "significant breakthrough" in the hostage release negotiations just after midnight on Monday. It was reported that Israel and Hamas are very close to reaching a deal, although further details were not provided.

On Friday, Israeli media reported that Qatar had sent a "positive message" to Israel regarding Hamas' willingness to advance discussions on the hostage deal. On Saturday, Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth reported that "90% of the details of the potential prisoner exchange deal have been agreed upon."

The prisoner exchange and peace talks, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., have been interrupted several times due to new conditions imposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The Israeli opposition and families of captives have accused Netanyahu of obstructing efforts to reach a Gaza peace agreement and prisoner exchange deal with Hamas.

The Israeli military has been carrying out a brutal attack on Gaza since October 7, 2023, which has killed nearly 46,600 people, most of them women and children. It has been labeled a genocide. The United Nations Security Council proposed an immediate cease-fire, but it has not been implemented.

In November, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for war crimes in Gaza.

Additionally, Israel is facing a genocide case at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its attacks on Gaza.