Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, the alleged mastermind behind the September 11, 2001 attacks, has agreed to a guilty plea, according to the U.S. Department of Defense. This decision concludes a 27-month negotiation process and resolves the case against Mohammed, Walid Bin Attash, and Mustafa Al Hawsawi, who are all accused of planning the attacks that killed 2,976 people.

The agreement, finalized on Wednesday, will eliminate the death penalty for Bin Attash and Al Hawsawi. The decision was conveyed to the victims' families and survivors through a letter from government agencies, as reported by CNN.

The plea deal follows negotiations that began in 2022, resulting in all three men agreeing to plead guilty to all charges, including murder and terrorism. The guilty pleas are expected to be submitted in a hearing scheduled to begin early next week.

Prosecutors acknowledged the intense emotional impact of this development on the families of the victims and explained that the pre-trial agreement was made after careful consideration. They believe this resolution provides the best path to finality and justice for the case.

National security analyst Peter Bergen described the plea deal as a pragmatic solution that avoids the complexities and uncertainties of a lengthy death penalty trial. The case had been stalled for years, primarily due to legal challenges surrounding evidence obtained through controversial interrogation methods.

Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was captured in Pakistan in 2003, faced charges including conspiracy, murder, and terrorism. The trial, initially set to begin on January 11, 2021, was postponed due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic and judicial resignations.

The families of the 9/11 victims have had mixed reactions to the plea deal. While some view it as a form of accountability, others are disappointed that the defendants will not face the death penalty. The long wait for justice has been a source of frustration for many families.

Amid these developments, the Biden administration faces increasing pressure to close the Guantanamo Bay detention center, which has been a focal point of controversy in the ongoing "war on terror."