The Washington Post has revealed new details about a potential deal for the release of hostages and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. According to American officials, the deal will unfold in three phases. In the first phase, lasting six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages, including women, men over 50, and the wounded, will be released. This will be in exchange for hundreds of security prisoners and a military withdrawal from populated areas.
In the second phase, an interim government will be established in Gaza, with neither Israel nor Hamas in control. This administration will consist of 2,500 vetted individuals who support the Palestinian Authority. They will be trained by the Americans and supported by moderate Arab countries. The details of the third phase remain undisclosed.
Defense Minister Yoav Galant highlighted the moral and ethical duty to return abductees, emphasizing the national and security interests that the deal would promote. He also addressed public criticism of the IDF, urging respect and appreciation for the bravery and efforts of the commanders and soldiers.
In a related development, the American floating dock off the Gaza coast, used for bringing aid into the Strip, will be permanently removed soon. The dock, built by the American army, was reinstalled temporarily to transport aid from Cyprus to Gaza. Over 8.6 million kilograms of food have been delivered via this dock. However, it will be dismantled once the aid mission is completed.
The United Nations had suspended aid deliveries via the pier after the Israeli army used the surrounding area for an operation in Nuseirat camp, which resulted in the death of over 270 Palestinians. The Pentagon has denied any American complicity in the Israeli operation. Since October 7, Israel's war on Gaza, supported by the US, has resulted in over 126,000 casualties, most of them children and women, and left more than 10,000 missing amid massive destruction and famine.
