A SIX-WEEK initial ceasefire phase includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to the north.

The deal requires 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid to be allowed into the besieged territory every day of the ceasefire, 50 of them carrying fuel, with 300 of the trucks allocated to north Hamas will release 33 Israeli prisoners, including all women (soldiers and civilians), children, and men over 50. Hamas will release women and under 19s first, followed by men over 50.

Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli civilian and 50 Palestinians for every Israeli woman soldier Hamas releases Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 by end of the first phase. The total number of Palestinians released will depend on the number of Israelis released, and could be between 990 and 1,650.

Hamas will release Israeli prisoners over a six-week period, with at least three released every week and the remainder of the 33 before the end of the period.

The implementation of the agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

Negotiations over a second phase of the agreement will begin by the 16th day of phase one and is expected to include the release of all remaining Israeli prisoners, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers.

A third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining dead bodies and the start of Gaza’s reconstruction, supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2025