A potential ceasefire agreement in Gaza hinges on a significant Israeli military pullback in exchange for the release of all hostages, a plan that US officials say is nearly finalized. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the deal, which would see Israeli forces return to the “yellow line” position of mid-August, is “90 per cent done.”
This proposed hostage-for-withdrawal pact is the cornerstone of the peace initiative backed by US President Donald Trump. Rubio emphasized that this is the “priority number one” and that Hamas has “basically” agreed to the framework, paving the way for the end of a conflict that has lasted two years.
In addition to the immediate terms, Hamas has reportedly signaled its willingness to engage on a broader political level. Rubio told reporters that the group has agreed “in principle” to a plan for the aftermath of the war, though the specifics of this post-conflict arrangement still need to be fleshed out in future discussions.
President Trump has praised the deal’s benefits for Israel while simultaneously issuing a dire threat to Hamas. He stated that the group’s refusal to cede power in Gaza would result in its “complete obliteration.” Trump also confirmed he has the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the US-led peace effort.
With the main components of the agreement in place, the focus now shifts to the operational details of the exchange. Rubio indicated that the seriousness of Hamas’s intent will become clear “very quickly” as these logistical discussions conclude, holding the key to a lasting peace.