The Times of Israel has published what it claims is the text of the agreement between Israel and Hamas.
It states that the agreement, labeled as Appendix I, complements the Israeli plan for an agreement with Hamas, which was officially put forward on May 27, 2024, and was publicly introduced by US President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024. This proposal outlines a three-phase arrangement "regarding the exchange of hostages and prisoners and establishing a lasting peace," including the liberation of 33 Israeli hostages in the initial stage. In his announcement of the agreement on January 15, 2025, Biden clarified: "This mirrors precisely the structure of the agreement I suggested earlier in May."
The Times of Israel adds that: “Several additional appendixes that include maps and other details outlining the parameters of the deal were not included in the copy of the text obtained by The Times of Israel, whose authenticity was confirmed by an Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations.”
The text, according to the above-mentioned media, sets out eight sections:
- Stage Two Preparations:
The aim is to finalize the implementation of the May 27, 2024, agreement on hostage and prisoner exchange, ensuring a lasting ceasefire. Procedures from the first stage will continue in stage 2 during negotiations, with guarantors working to sustain dialogue until an agreement is reached.
- Withdrawal of Israeli Forces:
Israeli forces are to withdraw eastwards along the borders of the Strip, including the Netzarim axis. The Army will be deployed in a perimeter of 700 meters south and west of the border and based on maps that both sides must agree upon.
- Prisoner Exchange:
The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
1,000 Gazan prisoners, not involved in the events of October 7, 2023, will also be released.
2 Israeli hostages will be released according to an exchange ratio of 1:30 as well as 47 Shalit prisoners (in reference to Gilad Shalit, who was captured by Hamas in 2006 and released in 2011 in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, editor’s note).
Also, a number of Palestinian prisoners in Gaza and abroad are to be set free according to a list agreed upon by both parties.
- The Philadelphi Corridor
The Israeli Army will reduce forces in the corridor based on an agreement between both sides, and after the last hostage release of stage one, at day 42, the Israeli Army will continue withdrawal until completion within day 50.
- The Rafah Border Crossing
The border crossing will be ready for civilian transfer after the release of all the women (civilians and soldiers). The Army will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to attached maps (that are not in the Times of Israel document). Also, 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily if met with Israeli and Egyptian approval. All of this will be based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
- Exit of Ill and Wounded Civilians
“All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the 27 May 2024 agreement.”
- Return of the Unarmed Internally Displaced (Netzarim Corridor)
“On day 7, the internally displaced pedestrians will be allowed to return north, without carrying arms and without inspection via Rashid street. On day 22, they will be allowed to return north from the Salah a-Din street as well, without inspection.
On day 7, vehicles and any non-pedestrian traffic will be allowed to return north of Netzarim corridor after vehicle inspection which will be performed by a private company which will be determined by the mediators in sync with the Israeli side, based on an agreed upon mechanism.”
- Humanitarian Aid Protocol
Humanitarian aid processes outlined in the agreement will be carried out in accordance with the agreed humanitarian protocol under the supervision of the mediators.
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