An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas to cease hostilities in Gaza and release hostages. In addition to Qatar, the United States and Egypt have also participated as mediators in the ceasefire agreement talks. According to news reports, the agreement includes not only stopping the exchange of attacks but also the release of Palestinian citizens detained by Israel and Israelis held by Hamas. U.S. President Donald Trump said an agreement had been reached to end the war in Gaza.
“There is an agreement to release the hostages in the Middle East,” he said on the social media platform Truth Social. “They will be released very soon. Thank you!” No official statement has yet confirmed such an agreement. According to information shared by Reuters, the Gaza ceasefire agreement includes actions to be carried out in three phases. The first phase is a six-week long phase.
This includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and allowing displaced Palestinians to return to the northern areas of Gaza. The agreement states that 600 trucks of humanitarian aid must be allowed into Gaza on the day the ceasefire begins. It specifies that 300 of these trucks will be released to the north. Hamas is required to release hostages held in Gaza over six weeks, at a rate of three people per week. The remaining people must be released before the end of the first phase.
It also states that all living hostages must be released before handing over the bodies of those who have died in Gaza. It specifies that women over 18, children, and men will be released first, followed by men over 50. Israel has also agreed to release all Palestinian women, children, and 18-year-old men arrested since October 7 before the end of the first phase. They have also agreed to release 30 Palestinians for every Israeli civilian and 50 Palestinians for every female soldier released by Hamas. The total number of Palestinians released will depend on the number of hostages released.
The statement also says that talks for the second phase of the agreement will begin on the 16th day of the first phase. This includes releasing all remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. The third phase includes returning all bodies from Gaza, and beginning reconstruction work in Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the UN. Qatar, Egypt, and the United States will provide ongoing assurance that this agreement is being implemented. An Israeli government official told Reuters that the Israeli government will vote on the Gaza ceasefire agreement tomorrow.
