Reports indicate that negotiations between Israeli authorities and Hamas have made significant progress, resulting in a breakthrough. This development sets the stage for a substantial prisoner swap and a fragile ceasefire agreement that will ultimately lead to the liberation of 33 captives.

As per the latest updates, Hamas has committed to freeing the hostages, while Israel is poised to pull back its troops from certain areas of Gaza, facilitate the provision of humanitarian assistance, and pardon thousands of Palestinian detainees in exchange.

This historic agreement is marked by specific numerical terms; notably, Israel will release 50 prisoners for each Israeli female soldier held in captivity by Hamas. The intricate details of the deal underscore the intricate nature of the negotiations and the delicate balance struck between the parties involved.

Israel will also release 30 children and women held in custody for every hostage Hamas releases.

The first phase also involves the release of around of 200 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment, alongside 1,000 additional detainees — including all women, children, and sick prisoners currently held in Israeli custody.

The deal, reportedly brokered with the assistance of Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, represents a significant concession by both parties. 

While Israel has insisted on the inclusion of more hostages, including wounded soldiers, Hamas has leveraged the situation to secure the release of prisoners considered high-value by Israeli authorities.

For detainees sentenced to life imprisonment, the stakes are even higher, with reports suggesting many could face deportation to Qatar, Egypt, or Turkey to mitigate potential security risks.

Negotiations between Israeli officials and Hamas have reportedly reached a breakthrough, paving the way for a massive prisoner exchange and a fragile ceasefire that will lead to to the release of 33 hostages

A girl watches as Mohammad Eid mourns his cousin Dima, along with her uncle and grandfather, who were killed in an Israeli airstrike on Saturday, during their funeral in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Sunday

Israeli soldiers and relatives carry the flag-draped casket of Sergeant Yahav Maayan, who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, during his funeral at a military cemetery in Modiin, Israel on Sunday

On Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke about efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week.

Talks mediated over the past year by the United States, Egypt and Qatar have repeatedly stalled at moments when they seemed close to a deal but in recent days, U.S. officials have expressed hope of sealing an agreement.

Sunday’s call between Biden and Netanyahu came as the head of Israel´s Mossad foreign intelligence agency, David Barnea, and Biden’s top Mideast adviser, Brett McGurk, were both in the Qatari capital Doha. 

Barnea’s presence, confirmed by Netanyahu’s office, meant high-level Israeli officials who would need to sign off on any agreement were involved in talks.

The White House and Netanyahu´s office both confirmed the phone call between the two leaders without providing details.

So far, only one brief ceasefire has been achieved in 15 months of war and that was in the earliest weeks of fighting. 

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said last week a deal was ‘very close’ and that  he hoped to complete it before handing over diplomacy to the incoming Trump administration.

So far, Netanyahu has signaled he is committed only to the first phase of a ceasefire that would see a partial hostage release in exchange for a weekslong halt in fighting.

A demonstrator holds a sign calling upon US President-elect Donald Trump to intervene during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostages in Gaza since October 2023

 Hundreds of people gathered to demonstrate for a ceasefire in Gaza and a hostages swap deal in West Jerusalem on Saturday. Israeli police intervened against the demonstrators and removed the domino-shaped statues symbolizing the collapse of the Israeli government

Demonstrators gather with signs during an anti-government protest calling for action to secure the release of Israelis held hostage in Gaza outside the Israeli Defense Ministry headquarters

Protesters hold photos of hostages during a demonstration calling for a hostage deal for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip by Hamas in Tel Aviv, Israel

Palestinians leave the area after the Israeli army launched an attack on two buildings in the Bureij Camp, located in the central Gaza Strip on Monday

Gali and Nir, the parents of the Israeli soldier Sergeant Yahav Maayan who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, react next to his grave during his funeral at a military cemetery in Modiin

Nir, the father of Israeli soldier Sergeant Yahav Maayan who was killed in combat in the Gaza Strip, reacts next to his son’s grave

Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli troop withdrawal from the largely devastated territory, but Netanyahu has insisted on destroying Hamas´ ability to fight in Gaza.

Some of the issues in the talks have included which hostages would be released in the first part of a phased ceasefire deal, which Palestinian prisoners would be released and the extent of any Israeli troop withdrawal from population centers in Gaza.

Israel’s campaign in Gaza has killed more than 46,000 Palestinians, the majority women and children. 

Israel’s campaign was triggered by Hamas´ October 7, 2023 attack, in which militants killed some 1,200 people and abducted around 250 others.

Families of the roughly 100 hostages still held in Gaza are pressing Netanyahu to reach a deal to bring their loved ones home.

Onn Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President Joe Biden spoke about efforts to reach a ceasefire and hostage release deal before Donald Trump’s inauguration next week. (File photo from July 2024)

Mohammad Eid carries the body of one of his three relatives killed on Saturday in an Israeli airstrike, as they are prepared for the funeral in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip on Sunday

On Sunday night, Israelis rallied again in the city of Tel Aviv, with photos of hostages on display.

In Gaza, Palestinians were tempering their hopes for a stop to Israel’s campaign, which has devastated much of the territory and driven more than 80 percent of its 2.3 million people from their homes.

‘We hear that there are negotiations every day, but we see nothing,’ said Mazen Hammad, a resident of the southern city of Khan Younis. 

‘When we see it on the ground, then we believe that there is a truce.’