On October 7, 2023, the Israeli military launched an offensive in Gaza in response to a surprise attack by Hamas, the political group governing the Gaza Strip. After almost 15 months of conflict, Hamas and Israel have finally agreed to a ceasefire.
The United States and Qatar, which played a mediating role throughout the conflict, confirmed this information on Wednesday. The ceasefire will take effect on January 19, 2025. Many international political analysts have called this development a “dramatic success.”
What Provisions Are Included in the Agreement?
For several months, drafts of the ceasefire agreement were exchanged between Hamas, Israel, and mediating countries such as Egypt and the United States. After various revisions and adjustments, Hamas and Israel have reached a consensus on a final agreement, which has not yet been publicly disclosed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in a brief message that there are still some unresolved clauses in the proposed agreement, but he is hopeful they will be resolved soon.
On October 7, 2023, Hamas fighters infiltrated Israel’s borders in a surprise attack, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza the same day to retaliate and rescue the hostages.
In late November 2023, during a temporary ceasefire, Hamas released 107 hostages. Hamas leaders have said that 94 hostages remain in their custody, but Israel estimates the number of living hostages to be only 60.
Reports suggest that after Hamas releases these hostages, Israel will release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners held in its jails.
Implementation of the Agreement
Outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden said in a briefing on Wednesday that the agreement will be implemented in three phases.
First Phase
The first phase will last for six weeks. During this period, all attacks and military actions in Gaza will cease, and Hamas will release some of the hostages it is holding. Priority will be given to women, the elderly, and the physically ill.
While Biden did not specify the exact number of hostages to be released during this phase, Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani stated at a press conference that Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first phase.
Confirming this, a Hamas leader told the BBC that three hostages will be released on the first day of the ceasefire, with the remaining 33 released gradually over six weeks.
When the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) began their offensive in Gaza, the population of the area was about 2.3 million. The IDF’s intense operations forced almost all of Gaza’s residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
Biden stated that during the first phase of the ceasefire, Israeli troops will withdraw from all densely populated areas of Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
Additionally, at least 600 aid trucks will enter Gaza during the six-week first phase, according to Biden’s briefing.
Decisions regarding the start of the second and third phases will be made before the end of the first phase. A Palestinian leader involved in the negotiations told the BBC that discussions on this will likely begin on the 16th day of the ceasefire.
Until agreements on the second and third phases are finalized, the first phase will continue, Biden said during the briefing.
Second Phase
During the second phase of the ceasefire, permanent peace will be established in Gaza. After releasing the hostages in the first phase, Hamas will release the remaining hostages in the second phase.
Simultaneously, Israel will release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including at least 190 individuals who have been serving prison sentences of 15 years or more.
An Israeli government official told the BBC that Palestinian prisoners accused of murder will not be released.
In this phase, Israel is also expected to completely withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip.
Third Phase
The third phase will begin after all Israeli hostages and the 1,000 Palestinian prisoners are released. During this phase, reconstruction of war-torn Gaza will commence. Destroyed homes, roads, and infrastructure will be rebuilt, and this phase is expected to last for several years.