GAZA (Dispatches) – The Zionist regime has approved plans to withdraw soldiers from the besieged Gaza Strip, after advancements in prisoner exchange negotiations with Hamas, according to a report.
The Haaretz newspaper said the military authorized several plans for the swift withdrawal of troops from Gaza in response to progress in the talks.
It examined options, including withdrawing troops through the Netzarim Corridor, which divides Gaza into two.
Despite having established extensive infrastructure and positions in the region, the military announced it could “evacuate” forces, emphasizing its readiness to implement any agreement reached by the government and the Palestinian resistance group, including a rapid troop pullback from Gaza.
The Zionist prime minister’s office revealed earlier that a delegation, led by Mossad chief David Barnea and Ronen Bar, chief of the Shin Bet internal security service, will travel to Qatar to continue negotiations.
Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu met before the announcement with Steve Witkoff — U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East.
Yedioth Ahronoth daily also reported that 90% of the details of a prisoner exchange agreement between the occupying regime and Hamas have been finalized, citing political sources.
The sources claimed that the main sticking point between the two parties is that Hamas wants “guarantees” that the occupying regime implements the second phase of the deal and links it with the first phase.
The newspaper added that Hamas is concerned that Netanyahu may resume war after completion of the deal’s first phase.
Hamas has also announced the completion of a draft agreement for a Gaza Strip ceasefire deal, pending approval from the occupying regime, signaling potential progress in efforts to end the conflict.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian resistance group, Jihad Taha, told the London-based pan-Arab news outlet, Al-Araby Al-Jadeed TV, that mediators finalized a draft outlining the terms for a ceasefire and a prisoner exchange.
He noted they were awaiting Netanyahu’s representative in Doha to approve the arrangements and sign the deal.
Ceasefire talks have reportedly advanced positively, with Qatar-based Al Araby TV citing Hamas officials who said negotiations are nearing conclusion.