Gaza Ceasefire Deal Has Been Signed, Here's What You Need to Know
Everything you need to know about the three-phased Gaza ceasefire deal expected to start on Sunday.
This article was updated since publication to reflect the latest information and developments.
The Israeli government and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire deal that will temporarily pause fighting in Gaza and lead to the phased release of Israeli and Palestinian prisoners starting Sunday.
In a press conference Wednesday, President Joe Biden said the first phase would last six weeks and include a “full and complete ceasefire,” withdrawal of Israeli forces from parts of Gaza and the release of both captive Israelis and Palestinians.
Per Reuters, the agreement will also require 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza daily during the duration of the ceasefire.
Israeli troops are required to pull back to the edges of Gaza, in order for some Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes and for aid to arrive safely.
If the deal is followed Hamas will release 33 Israelis including all women, children and men over 50. Israel will release 30 Palestinian captives for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian captives for every Israeli female soldier Hamas releases.
The captives will be released over the six-week period, with Hamas releasing at least three Israelis each week. The exact number of Palestinians expected to be released weekly has not been specified, Israel has said the total number of Palestinians released will depend on Israelis released.
Approximately 1,000 Palestinians are expected to be released from Israeli custody, a Palestinian official, who was not authorized to speak to the media, told NPR. A majority of them are described to be humanitarian cases including injured children and adults over the age of 50.
All living Palestinian women and children under 19 detained since Oct. 7, 2023 are expected to be released by the end of phase one.
The implementation of the agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
According to CNN, negotiations to reach the second and third phases of a ceasefire agreement, which is intend to end the genocide, will begin on the 16th day of phase one.
Whether the ceasefire will survive beyond the first phase is unclear.
⤵️Breakdown of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal:
PHASE 1:
Hamas releases 33 hostages, including female civilians and soldiers, children and civilians over 50
Israel releases 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage and 50 for each female soldier
Halt to fighting, Israeli forces move out of populated areas to the edges of the Gaza Strip
Displaced Palestinians begin returning home, more aid enters the strip
PHASE 2:
Declaration of “sustainable calm”
Hamas frees remaining male hostages (soldiers and civilians) in exchange for a yet-to-be-negotiated number of Palestinian prisoners and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip.
PHASE 3:
Bodies of deceased Israeli hostages exchanged for bodies of deceased Palestinian fighters
Implementation of a reconstruction plan in Gaza
Border crossings for movement in and out of Gaza are reopened
This draft was shared by the Associated Press. An updated version has not yet been released. Per the draft, shared Tuesday, phase one was to last 42-days with several Israeli and Palestinian captives freed beginning Sunday.
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Per CNN, Hamas approved the ceasefire agreement and delivered its response to mediators, early Wednesday morning. In a separate statement it noted that it consulted allied militant groups regarding the proposed agreement.
“The movement has dealt with this matter with full responsibility and positivity, stemming from its duty towards our steadfast and resilient people in the Gaza Strip, to stop the Zionist aggression against them and put an end to the massacres and genocide they are facing.”
Despite negotiations on going for weeks, Israel continued its attacks on Gaza. Per a the Independent Commission for Human Rights (ICHR) report released Wednesday, at least 120 Palestinian children have been killed in Gaza over the past 15 days.
According to the enclave’s health ministry, in the last 24 hours, at least 62 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll since October 2023 to 46,707.
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Ever wonder WHY that magic number, 33, is in broadcasting news? Broad CASTING.