Qatar, Egypt and the United States announced on Wednesday that Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire and hostage release agreement, marking a potential turning point in one of the most devastating conflicts between the two sides.
Set to take effect on January 19, the deal outlines a three-stage process aimed at achieving a “sustainable calm.” The framework includes the release of hostages and prisoners, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from populated areas, and the resumption of humanitarian aid operations.
If implemented, this agreement could end the bloodiest chapter in Israel-Hamas relations, although it leaves the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict unresolved.
The following are the detailed components of the ceasefire arrangement:
Three stages of the deal
The first stage involves a temporary cessation of military operations between Israel and Hamas. Hamas will release 33 women and children hostages, along with hostages over 50 years old. Israel will free 30 Palestinian women and children for each Israeli hostage returned, CBS news reported.
Additionally, Palestinian prisoners aged 50 or older will be released. Israeli forces will withdraw from populated areas in Gaza, and military air operations will pause for 10 hours daily, extending to 12 hours during prisoner exchanges. Large-scale aid, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, will be allowed into Gaza.
In the second stage, both sides will declare a halt to all military operations. According to Arab Center Washington DC, all remaining male Israeli hostages, including civilians and soldiers, will be released in exchange for Palestinian detainees. Israeli forces will fully withdraw from Gaza.
The third stage will see the exchange of the bodies of deceased hostages and combatants returned to their respective sides. A three-to-five-year plan will commence, focusing on rebuilding homes, infrastructure, and civilian facilities. The process will be overseen by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations. The complete blockade of Gaza will be lifted, enabling economic recovery and humanitarian relief.
Implications of the deal
The agreement mirrors a proposal previously outlined by US President Joe Biden. Notably, the deal prioritizes the release of American hostages early in the process.
The conflict, which began with Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, has exacted a heavy toll. Approximately 1,200 Israelis were killed during the initial Hamas assault. Over 46,000 Palestinians, including thousands of women and children, have died in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
The Israeli military claims to have eliminated 17,000 Hamas fighters. Nearly 90% of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced. The enclave’s infrastructure lies in ruins, with hundreds of thousands living in dire conditions in coastal tent camps.
