An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt, to release hostages in exchange for a halt to the ongoing conflict. The deal, which includes the release of many Palestinian prisoners, some of whom are serving life sentences for terrorism-related crimes, is set to unfold in stages over the next seven weeks. The first phase of the deal involves the return of 33 hostages, with Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
According to the agreement, the hostages will be released over seven weeks, starting with three hostages on the first day. Four more will be released on the seventh day, followed by 12 more in four additional stages. The final group of 14 hostages will be freed in the last week of the agreement. Israel will prioritize the release of women and children, including those from the Bibas family, and insists that all minors and women detained in Gaza after October 7 be freed in the first phase.
Hamas Demands and U.S. Pressure
The deal was achieved under significant pressure from the United States, with President-elect Donald Trump and outgoing President Joe Biden pushing for the agreement. Trump particularly applied pressure on both sides, while Biden welcomed the development, emphasizing that the agreement would lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
One of the contentious points in the deal is whether Hamas will release the hostages who hold U.S. citizenship, such as Keith Siegel, Sagi Dekel Chen, and Idan Alexander, prior to the deal’s formal implementation. The exact number of Palestinian prisoners to be released is not yet clear, as Hamas has not updated its list based on the status of the hostages.
Military and Security Implications
As part of the deal, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw from certain areas of Gaza in two stages—on the seventh day and again on the 22nd day of the agreement. Additionally, during the 42-day first phase, the IDF will temporarily suspend air traffic over Gaza for several hours on days when hostages are released.
Israel will also withdraw from the Philadelphia Axis, a strategic area on the border between Gaza and Egypt, during the first 50 days of the agreement. While the IDF will maintain a "defense strip" in Gaza, it is committed to ensuring that all hostages are returned before making further withdrawals.
Approval Pending, Legal Challenges Possible
The agreement still requires formal approval from Israel's government and political-security cabinet, which will convene on Sunday to review and approve the deal. While opponents of the deal may challenge it in Israel's High Court of Justice, sources indicate that the chance of judicial intervention preventing the agreement from proceeding is slim.
Qatar and Egypt’s Role in Mediation
Qatar’s Prime Minister Mohammed al-Thani confirmed the ceasefire, which will begin at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, and said that both sides would continue to work on finalizing the implementation details. The agreement also includes facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza, with the International Red Cross preparing to support the return of hostages and increase relief efforts.
Finalizing the Agreement
The final details of the agreement are still being worked out, particularly concerning the release of prisoners and the security arrangements for the Rafah crossing, which Israel must approve. Although some challenges remain, including last-minute demands from Hamas regarding the Philadelphia Axis, the deal is expected to proceed, with both sides committing to resolving outstanding issues in the coming days.
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