The draft ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip stipulates the release of all Israeli hostages held in the enclave, according to the text published by Al Araby Al Jadeed.
The agreement's goal is to secure the release of all Israeli hostages, whether civilians or soldiers, from the Gaza Strip. In return, Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli prisons. The agreement also seeks to establish a sustainable truce, implying a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, followed by the enclave's reconstruction.
Initial phases of the agreement
In the first phase of the agreement, Hamas must release 33 Israeli hostages, including women (both civilians and military personnel), children and teenagers under the age of 19, elderly individuals over 50, and sick or wounded civilians. In exchange, a significant number of Palestinians from Israeli prisons and detention centers will be released. For each civilian hostage—whether elderly, sick, or wounded—Israeli authorities will release 30 Palestinian prisoners who are over 50 or are sick. For each released female member of the Israeli military, Hamas expects the return of 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 who were sentenced to life terms.
By the third day of the agreement, Hamas is required to release three Israeli hostages. Subsequently, the movement pledges to release three hostages, including female soldiers, every seven days. By the seventh day, Hamas will provide details on the number of hostages to be released in the first phase.
After three weeks, Israel must release all re-arrested prisoners from the Shalit deal, which includes 1,028 Palestinian prisoners, over 400 of whom were convicted of murder. These individuals were re-arrested after being released in exchange for kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in 2011.
If the number of living hostages falls short of 33, it will be supplemented by the bodies of Israelis killed in captivity. In return, Israel will release all Gaza Strip residents arrested after October 7, 2023, including women, children, and teenagers under 19, if this stage of the exchange is reached by the fifth week of the agreement. By the sixth week, Hamas must release all remaining hostages in the first phase, and Israel will release an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners based on lists submitted by Hamas. The agreement also calls for the exchange of bodies and remains of the deceased from both sides.
Second phase
No later than the 16th day of the first phase, indirect negotiations between the parties on the details of the second phase will begin. This phase includes the release of the remaining Israeli men, including soldiers, with consultations to be completed by the end of the fifth week of the first phase.
Withdrawal of Israeli forces
The agreement outlines the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and the lifting of the blockade on the Palestinian enclave. On the third day, the Israeli military is to withdraw from Al-Rashid Street eastward to Salah Al-Din Street and dismantle military installations in the area, facilitating the return of internally displaced persons and the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
By the 22nd day, Israeli forces are to withdraw from the center of Gaza, east of Salah Al-Din Road, to areas near the border. In the first phase, Israeli forces must also leave the Netzarim corridor, which separates the northern and southern parts of Gaza. The full withdrawal of Israeli forces will be completed in the second phase of the agreement.
Exit of wounded Hamas fighters
The draft agreement suggests that at least 50 wounded Hamas fighters will leave the Gaza Strip to receive medical treatment abroad, though the destination country is not specified. The agreement also requires unimpeded movement of sick and wounded civilians through the Rafah crossing on the Egypt-Gaza border and stipulates that commercial goods should pass through Rafah unhindered.
Humanitarian aid
From the first day of the agreement, sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, relief supplies, and fuel will enter Gaza. The enclave will receive 600 truckloads of supplies daily, with 50 carrying fuel. Half of all trucks must deliver supplies to the north of Gaza, where delivering aid is currently challenging. These conditions will remain in place throughout all phases of the agreement.
Additionally, the agreement allows the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and other UN agencies to conduct humanitarian activities throughout Gaza.
Guarantors of the agreement
Egypt, Qatar, the United States, the United Nations, and other international partners are listed as guarantors of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
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Based on materials from TASS