On Wednesday, with mediation from Egypt, Qatar, and the US, Israel and Hamas agreed to implement the ceasefire that was originally reached on 27 May 2024.
The three-phase deal, each phase lasting 42 days, includes a cessation of hostilities and the initiation of a prisoner swap between the two sides, laying the groundwork for a permanent ceasefire.
Egypt, Qatar, and the US — guarantors of the deal, which will take effect at 12:15 on Sunday, 19 January — will work to ensure continued progress through all three phases.
All procedures from the first phase will carry over into the second phase, provided the conditions for its implementation are met.
The third and final phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the exchange of the remaining captives' bodies for those of Palestinian prisoners.
Below are the details of each stage, along with practical procedures and mechanisms for the agreement's implementation.
First Phase (42 days)
Israeli forces will begin withdrawing eastward from densely populated areas along the Gaza Strip's borders, including the Gaza Valley (Netzarim corridor and Kuwait roundabout) to the strip's edges.
Israeli forces will be redeployed to a perimeter of 700 metres, with up to an additional 400 metres at five specific positions.
Israel will determine these positions south and west of the border based on maps agreed upon by both sides.
The deal defines the border of the Gaza Strip based on the 7 October 2023 map.
Thirty-three Israeli captives will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners, including nine captives—sick or wounded—who will be released in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment.
For elderly prisoners (men over 50), the exchange ratio will be one captive for three Palestinians sentenced to life imprisonment or one captive for 27 Palestinians serving other sentences.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli civilian and 50 prisoners for each female Israeli soldier.
Captives Ebra Mangesto and Hesham el-Sayed will be released at a ratio of 1:30, alongside 47 prisoners in the Gilad Shalit case.
Israel will release additional Palestinian prisoners, either inside or outside Gaza, based on an agreed-upon list. The exchange will occur in stages every seven days.
On day 7, displaced persons will be allowed to return to northern Gaza on foot via Al-Rashid Road without carrying weapons or undergoing a search.
On day 22, they may also return through Salah El-Din Road without being searched.
The return of internally displaced persons will follow the 27 May 2024 agreement, particularly Articles 3-A and 3-B.
Vehicles will be allowed to return to the area north of the Netzarim corridor on day 7 after being searched by a private company designated by the mediators in coordination with Israel, based on an agreed mechanism.
Second Phase (42 days) - pending first phase agreements
Negotiations for stage two will begin on day 16 of phase one.
A declaration of "sustainable calm" and a permanent ceasefire will follow.
Israel will release 1,000 prisoners from Gaza detained since 8 October 2023 who were not involved in the events of 7 October 2023.
Israeli forces will gradually reduce their presence in the Philadelphi corridor area during the first stage, according to the agreed maps.
After the final captive is released on day 42, Israeli forces will begin withdrawing from the corridor, completing the process within no more than 50 days of the final captive release.
Third Phase (42 days)
The Rafah crossing will be prepared to transport Palestinian civilians and wounded individuals once all Israeli women (both civilians and combatants) held in Gaza are released.
Israeli troops will redeploy away from the crossing once the deal goes into effect.
Fifty wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily, each accompanied by three people.
All individuals must receive approval from both Egypt and Israel. The crossing will operate based on negotiations held with Egypt in August 2024.
All wounded and sick Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross through the Rafah crossing, in line with Clause No. 12 of the 27 May 2024 agreement.
All parties will implement procedures related to humanitarian aid according to the humanitarian protocol and under the supervision of the mediators.
Hamas and Israel will exchange the bodies of the remaining captives with Palestinian prisoners' bodies.
A three-to-five-year reconstruction plan for Gaza will be put into effect.
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