A deal to end the Gaza war is not only “90 per cent done” but also includes a crucial agreement on discussing “what’s going to happen afterwards,” according to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. He said Hamas has agreed “in principle” to a post-war plan, a key feature of the nearly-finalized accord.
The immediate terms of the deal focus on a hostage-for-withdrawal exchange. All Israeli hostages would be released, and in return, the Israeli military would pull back its forces to the “yellow line,” its position in mid-August.
Rubio highlighted the significance of looking beyond the ceasefire. He noted that while “a lot of details are going to have to be worked out” for the post-war plan, Hamas’s initial agreement to enter into the idea is a major breakthrough for long-term stability.
The framework is the result of a major push by President Donald Trump, who has hailed it as a “great deal for Israel” and secured support from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump has also warned Hamas to cede power or face “complete obliteration.”
As technical experts finalize the logistics of the hostage release, the parallel agreement on a future political track offers hope that this deal could provide a more durable peace than previous ceasefires.