**Hope for Ceasefire and Hostage Release in Gaza**
After 15 months of war, Palestinians and Israelis are cautiously optimistic about a deal to end the fighting and release hostages.
For many people in Gaza, the possibility of peace is hard to believe. Sanabel, a 17-year-old girl from Gaza City, said: “I’m still alive today to witness this moment.” She has been waiting for a ceasefire since last month.
**Talks Progress**
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said that no major issues are blocking a deal between Israel, Hamas, and the indirect talks taking place in Doha. Instead, they’re focused on “the last details of reaching an accord”.
Hamas expressed satisfaction with the current status of negotiations. The talks have made “real progress”, and are now entering a critical period.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a deal is “right on its brink”. He added that Hamas was trying to ignite a regional conflict and undermine US-led efforts for Israel and its Arab neighbors to integrate.
**Families of Hostages Hope**
Families of hostages who have not been released in the initial deal expressed anger at the possibility that their relatives could be left behind should the deal fail later. Some families are worried about the fate of their loved ones.
Sharon Lifshitz, a British-Israeli filmmaker and artist, has not heard from her 84-year-old father Oded since he was taken hostage in Gaza. She said: “We want the hostages to return home first, so we’re focusing on that.”
**Israel’s Position**
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faces opposition from cabinet ministers of the far right and some members of his own party who oppose prisoner release and a wider truce deal.
However, Sharon Lifshitz said that the majority of Israelis have supported a deal like this for “a very long time”. The combined pressure of the administrations of outgoing US President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump has finally given Netanyahu’s Government the “extra push” they needed.
**US Plan**
Later on Tuesday, Blinken laid out the plan that the Biden administration wants Trump to hand over for post-war Gaza. It does not envisage the immediate full control of Gaza by the Palestinian Authority.
Gaza’s security forces will be made up of personnel from other countries, most likely Arab states, along with “vetted” Palestinians.
**Hope and Uncertainty**
For many people in Gaza, the possibility of peace is hard to believe. Sanabel said: “I’m still alive today to witness this moment.” The fate of hostages and the future of Gaza remain uncertain.