Despite the announcement of an agreement between Hamas and Israel on Wednesday, mediated by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, Israeli officials revealed on Thursday that negotiations are still ongoing regarding a list of prominent prisoners that Hamas demands be released, while Israel rejects this.

According to what was reported by Axios, the negotiations are focused on a number of prisoners considered to be "heavyweights," which threatens to return the agreement to square one.

Mediation efforts continue

American officials confirmed that envoys from President Joe Biden's administration, along with representatives from elected President Donald Trump's team, as well as Qatari and Egyptian mediators, are working from Doha to overcome the last obstacle in the prisoner exchange deal between the two sides.

The Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, announced on Wednesday the success of mediation efforts in reaching a comprehensive agreement that includes a permanent ceasefire, the exchange of prisoners and hostages, and the entry of large quantities of humanitarian and food aid into the Gaza Strip.

Details of the agreement

Al Thani clarified that the agreement will come into effect on January 19, with the exact time for its implementation to be determined later. According to the agreement:

• A ceasefire is established for 42 days in its first phase.

• Israeli forces will withdraw eastward away from densely populated areas in Gaza and will be stationed at the border.

• Prisoners and hostages will be exchanged based on a specific mechanism that includes the return of the remains of the deceased.

• The return of displaced persons to their homes is allowed, with facilitating the exit of the sick and wounded for treatment.

Concerns and challenges

Despite the atmosphere of optimism, some observers fear that disagreements over the list of prisoners could hinder the implementation of the agreement. This comes amid reports of continued Israeli airstrikes and dozens of casualties in Gaza, which complicates the humanitarian situation and amplifies pressure on all parties to make the agreement successful.