Gaza Negotiations Progress: 60-Day Ceasefire Agreement and Israeli Withdrawal from Rafah

The US envoy to the Middle East, Steve Whitecuff, said that negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza are progressing well, amidst intensive efforts to reach a comprehensive agreement to end the months-long ongoing conflict.

During a signing ceremony in Washington, US President Donald Trump announced that there is "good news regarding Gaza and other matters we are working on," thanking Whitecuff for his role in this progress.

As part of the negotiations, a meeting was held between the Israeli delegation and representatives from Qatar and Egypt, during which the Israeli side presented new maps showing additional flexibility.

According to the Jerusalem Post, citing a source familiar with the negotiations, the focus has shifted from the Morag corridor to the Israeli presence in the Rafah area, where the primary discussions are currently taking place.

The same source indicated optimism among the mediators, considering these developments as a real step towards a close agreement.

According to the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation, the proposed agreement draft includes the release of 28 Israeli detainees over a 60-day ceasefire period, in exchange for a gradual withdrawal of the Israeli army from the northern part of the Gaza Strip, followed by withdrawals from areas in the south, including Rafah.

The exchange deal involves 10 living detainees and 18 bodies, to be carried out according to a precise timetable, starting with the release of 8 living detainees on the first day, followed by 5 bodies on the seventh day, another 5 on the thirtieth day, two living detainees on the fiftieth day, and ending with the handover of 8 bodies on the final day of the ceasefire.

On the tenth day of the ceasefire, Hamas commits to providing information about the remaining Israeli detainees, while Israel commits to disclosing data on over 2000 detainees from Gaza who have been held administratively since the beginning of the war.

The agreement also includes an Israeli commitment to release a large number of Palestinian security prisoners, a comprehensive halt to military operations starting from the ceasefire implementation, in addition to a suspension of air traffic over the Strip for 10 hours daily, increasing to 12 hours on days involving detainee handovers.

These developments come as Gaza witnesses extensive destruction due to Israeli airstrikes, with Palestinians still searching for survivors under the rubble, in scenes reminiscent of the reports coming from the besieged city.