A specific geographical marker—the “yellow line”—has become the central element in a high-stakes deal to release Israeli hostages and halt the two-year Gaza war. According to US officials, an agreement is nearly complete, hinging on Israel’s willingness to pull its forces back to this line in exchange for the freedom of all captives.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the advanced state of negotiations, declaring the deal “90 per cent” finalized. He stated that the “yellow line” represents the position Israeli forces held within Gaza in the middle of August. This pullback is the most significant concession offered to secure the agreement of Hamas, which has reportedly accepted the framework in principle.
The proposal was crafted by US President Donald Trump, who considers it a major victory for Israeli security and a crucial step toward regional stability. Rubio elaborated that achieving the hostage release in exchange for the military withdrawal is “priority number one,” and its implementation is expected to happen “very quickly” once logistics are settled.
While the “yellow line” is the key to the immediate ceasefire, the deal also includes provisions for the future. Hamas has apparently consented to engage in discussions about what happens after the war ends, a critical component for building a lasting peace. These talks, however, are still in their preliminary stages.
President Trump has reinforced the deal with a stern message to Hamas, asserting that non-compliance and refusal to give up power would lead to their “complete obliteration.” With alleged support from Israel’s Prime Minister, the focus is now on the technical implementation that will see tanks move back and hostages come home.