Palestinians and Israelis in the wake of the 2023 Gaza-Hostile War: An Update on the 2020 Oslo-Jerusale Agreement

The war began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel from Gaza, killing around 1,200 people and taking more than 250 hostages into Gaza. Around 100 hostages were released in a deal between Hamas and Israel in late 2020, while others were found dead.

The renewed energy at the talks coincides with a surge in fighting on the ground. According to Gazan health authorities there have been at least 78 Palestinians killed since Saturday, while the Israeli military has reported 9 soldiers killed.

Many families of the remaining hostages who are not slated for release in the first phase worry that pressure to release their relatives will wane. They have been lobbying for a comprehensive agreement that ends the war and secures the release of all hostages.

Thirty-five Israeli hostages held by Hamas and other militant groups in the Gaza Strip will be free in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners, according to a formula under discussion. The total number of Palestinians released from Israeli custody is expected to be around 1,000, according to a Palestinian official, who was not authorized to speak to the media.

The chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said that an agreement had been reached between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza.

A further round of negotiations will begin 16 days into that first phase of the agreement, about further withdrawals of Israeli troops from Gaza, although the Israeli official said a full withdrawal would not happen until all hostages are fully released.

The first exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners is anticipated to happen on the same day as implementation begins. The two sides are also talking about arrangements to allow displaced Palestinians in the south of Gaza to return to their homes in the north.

Even after the deal is signed, it would need to be approved by the Israeli full Cabinet and government, and it is likely to be challenged before the Israeli Supreme Court. It is possible that it will take days before the terms are implemented.

There have been a number of intensive rounds of negotiations between Israel and Hamas. Representatives from both sides were in different rooms, as mediators from the U.S., Egypt and Qatar passed along messages.

He didn’t give any details about the agreement. An Israeli official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks, outlined some of the key provisions.

An agreement is not far away, that’s according to Majed Al Ansari, an advisor to the Qatar prime minister. He added that the main obstacles have been overcome and the talks now are “about the final details.”

The Israelis and Hamas are close to agreeing on a truce, after more than fifteen months of fighting in their most devastating war ever.

I was just told that there’s going to be a ceasefire in Gaza. “We’re all going to want to see how well that works before we celebrate,” Risch said.