Just days before Donald Trump returns to the White House, a comprehensive agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. First announced by sources close to the talks, the agreement was confirmed a few hours later by the Qatari Prime Minister, Mohammed ben Abderrahmane al-Thani.
Here are the points of the agreement confirmed by the Qatari Prime Minister:
Hostages release
The ceasefire will come into effect on Sunday January 19. The first phase, which will run for 42 days immediately after the ceasefire takes effect, will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages over the next 42 days, while 250 Palestinian women prisoners will be freed from detention centers.
“Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, including civilian women (...), children, the elderly, sick civilians and the wounded, in exchange for several prisoners held in Israeli jails. Details of phases two and three will be finalized when the first phase is implemented”, said the Prime Minister.
In total, the agreement would see the release of around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, with the exception of elite Hamas prisoners, who will not be included in this first release.
Monitoring mechanism
Qatar, Egypt and the United States will monitor implementation of the truce agreement via a monitoring mechanism set up in Cairo.
“A monitoring mechanism will be set up, managed by Egypt, Qatar and the United States (the three mediating countries, editor's note). Based in Cairo, this mechanism will involve a joint team from the three countries to monitor the implementation of the agreement”, said the Prime Minister.
“With the approval of the negotiating parties, work continues this evening to complete the executive aspects”, he added.
Humanitarian aid
The first phase will also include a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Up to 600 trucks a day would be allowed to deliver essential supplies to Gaza. As part of the agreement, the Israeli army will also withdraw from the Netzarim corridor.
Gazans will be able to return to the northern part of the Gaza Strip on the 22ᵉ day of the agreement's implementation. In addition, the majority of Israeli forces will withdraw from the Philadelphia corridor, marking another key step towards de-escalation.
The agreement includes a preliminary six-week truce, including a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
To ensure a smooth transition, a Qatari-Egyptian inspection force would be deployed, focusing on vehicle inspections at the crossing point into northern Gaza.
Second and third phases
The second phase of the agreement would begin on 43ᵉ day and last for forty-two days, with a view to establishing lasting peace in the region.
“Details of the second and third phases after the completion of the first phase of the agreement,” the minister said.
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