What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal

Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to stop the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has resulted in significant loss of life and displacement of people. This deal, facilitated by the United States and Qatar, aims to bring an end to the fighting that has persisted for 15 months, following Hamas's attack on Israel in October 2023. While the specifics of the ceasefire deal have not been fully disclosed, it is understood that it will involve a halt to hostilities, the exchange of hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, and the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes. During the initial attack, Hamas took 251 hostages, and currently, they are holding 94 individuals, with Israeli officials estimating that only 60 of them are still alive. In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of whom have been incarcerated for extended periods. The ceasefire is anticipated to unfold in three distinct phases. Although both parties have reportedly agreed to the terms, the Israeli government must still provide its approval before the ceasefire can be enacted. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani has indicated that the agreement could take effect on Sunday if approved. The first phase of the ceasefire is set to last six weeks and will involve a complete cessation of hostilities. President Joe Biden confirmed that during this period, hostages held in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israel will be released, and displaced Gazans will be allowed to return to their homes. Biden mentioned that a number of hostages, including women, the elderly, and the sick, would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. While the exact number of hostages to be released during this initial phase has not been specified, it has been reported that 33 hostages will be freed, according to Qatari officials. The Israeli government has stated that most of these hostages are believed to still be alive. Three hostages will be released immediately, with the remainder of the exchange occurring over the six-week period. During this phase, Israeli troops are expected to withdraw from all populated areas in Gaza, allowing Palestinians to return to their neighborhoods. The ongoing conflict has forced nearly all of Gaza's 2. 3 million residents to evacuate their homes due to continuous airstrikes and evacuation orders. Additionally, there will be a significant increase in humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, with hundreds of trucks permitted to enter the region each day. Negotiations for the second and third phases of the ceasefire are expected to commence on the 16th day of the ceasefire, with Biden stating that the ceasefire will remain in place as long as discussions continue. The second phase of the ceasefire aims for a permanent end to the conflict, during which the remaining living hostages, including men, will be released in exchange for additional Palestinian prisoners. Of the 1,000 Palestinian prisoners that Israel is anticipated to release, approximately 190 are serving sentences of 15 years or more. An Israeli official has indicated that those convicted of murder will not be released into the occupied West Bank. Furthermore, there will be a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The final phase of the ceasefire will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza, a process that could take years, as well as the return of any remaining hostages' bodies. The journey to reach this agreement has been lengthy and fraught with challenges, primarily due to the deep-seated distrust between Israel and Hamas. Hamas insisted on a complete cessation of hostilities before releasing the hostages, a condition that Israel found unacceptable. The ceasefire will effectively pause the conflict while the terms are implemented. However, it remains uncertain whether this ceasefire will lead to a lasting peace. One of Israel's primary objectives has been to dismantle Hamas's military capabilities. Although Israel has inflicted significant damage, Hamas still retains some operational capacity. Additionally, it is unclear which hostages are alive or deceased, or whether Hamas is aware of the whereabouts of all those unaccounted for. Hamas has also demanded the release of certain prisoners that Israel has stated it will not free, including individuals involved in the October 7 attacks. Furthermore, it is unknown whether Israel will agree to withdraw from the buffer zone by a specific date or if its presence will be indefinite. Any ceasefire is likely to be fragile, as previous ceasefires between Israel and Hamas have been disrupted by skirmishes and ultimately collapsed. The complexity of this ceasefire means that even a minor incident could escalate into a significant threat. On October 7, 2023, hundreds of Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel, breaching the border and targeting communities, police stations, and military bases. Approximately 1,200 individuals lost their lives, and over 250 hostages were taken back to Gaza. Hamas also fired thousands of rockets into Israel. In retaliation, Israel initiated a large-scale military campaign, first through airstrikes and later through a ground invasion. Since then, Israel has targeted various locations across Gaza, while Hamas has continued to launch rockets into Israel. The Israeli offensive has caused widespread devastation in Gaza, leading to severe food shortages and hindering aid efforts to reach those in need. According to Gaza's health ministry, more than 46,700 individuals, the majority of whom are civilians, have died as a result of Israel's military actions.