‘90% Done’: Clock Ticking on Final Details of Gaza Hostage Agreement

The clock is ticking on a high-stakes agreement to end the Gaza war, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio declaring the deal “90% done.” All eyes are now on the final logistical negotiations to free Israeli hostages, a move that could happen “very quickly” if all parties cooperate.
The framework, a product of intense US diplomacy led by President Donald Trump, has reportedly been accepted in principle by Hamas. The deal’s architecture is straightforward: a full hostage release in exchange for Israel withdrawing its troops to a specified “yellow line,” their position as of mid-August.
President Trump has thrown his full weight behind the proposal, calling it a “great deal for Israel” and issuing a dire warning to Hamas. He stated that the group faces “complete obliteration” if it backs out of the deal or refuses to give up its control over Gaza, creating immense pressure for a swift and positive outcome.
Rubio confirmed that the major political obstacles have been overcome. “90 per cent of this has been worked out and we are just sort of finalising the logistical piece,” he said, framing the remaining talks as technical rather than political. The sincerity of Hamas is about to be put to a definitive test.
The agreement also sketches a faint outline for a post-war future, with Hamas agreeing in “generalities” to discuss what comes next. While this part is less defined, its inclusion provides a glimmer of hope for long-term stability once the immediate crisis of the hostages and the fighting is resolved.