The freedom of Israeli hostages held in Gaza could be imminent as a U.S.-brokered deal to end the war enters its final phase. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Sunday that the agreement with Hamas is “90 per cent done,” with the primary focus now on finalizing the logistics for the hostages’ safe return.
This significant diplomatic achievement is centered on a proposal from President Donald Trump, which has reportedly been accepted in principle by Hamas. The core of the deal involves a “hostages-for-withdrawal” exchange: Israel would pull its forces back to a designated “yellow line” in return for the release of every captive.
President Trump has publicly praised the framework as a “great deal for Israel” and has secured the backing of its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu. This united front from the US and Israel adds considerable weight to the negotiations and places immense pressure on Hamas to comply with the terms.
Rubio explained that the current talks are highly technical, working out the “logistical piece” of the exchange. He noted that the sincerity of Hamas’s intentions would become clear “very quickly” based on their cooperation in these final stages. The swift and safe return of the hostages is the administration’s top priority.
The deal also sketches a path forward for a post-conflict Gaza. Hamas has tentatively agreed to discuss the future of the territory after the war, a crucial step towards preventing a recurrence of violence. However, Trump has made it clear that this path is conditional, warning that Hamas must give up control of Gaza or face dire consequences.