What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal

What We Know About the Gaza Ceasefire Deal

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a Gaza ceasefire deal, marking the most significant breakthrough in the 15-month war that began with Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel in October 2023. The agreement includes hostage exchanges, prisoner releases, and steps toward rebuilding Gaza.

What Are the Key Points of the Ceasefire Deal?

Although official details have not yet been released, here’s what we understand so far:

• A full ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
• Hostage and prisoner exchanges: Hamas to release 94 hostages (60 believed to be alive), while Israel is expected to free around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
• Troop withdrawal: Israeli forces will pull out of Gaza’s populated areas.
• Rehabilitation of Gaza: The deal will enable displaced Palestinians to return home and accelerate humanitarian aid efforts.

How Will the Ceasefire Be Implemented?

The ceasefire is expected to unfold in three stages, subject to final approval by Israel’s security cabinet and government.

Stage 1: Immediate Ceasefire and Initial Releases

• Ceasefire Duration: Six weeks.
• Hamas will release 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, over this period.
• Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners during the same timeframe.
• Troop Withdrawal: Israeli forces to exit all populated areas in Gaza.
• Humanitarian Aid Surge: Hundreds of trucks delivering food, water, and medical supplies will be allowed into Gaza daily.

Stage 2: Permanent Ceasefire

• Remaining hostages, including men, will be exchanged for additional Palestinian prisoners.
• Israel to release prisoners serving long-term sentences but exclude those involved in the October 2023 attacks.
• Israeli troops to fully withdraw from Gaza.

Stage 3: Rebuilding Gaza

• Focus on reconstruction of Gaza’s devastated infrastructure.
• Any remaining hostages’ bodies will be returned.

Unanswered Questions About the Ceasefire Deal

Despite the progress, many critical issues remain unresolved:

1. Will the war end permanently?
   • Israel’s goal to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing structure remains incomplete.
2. Hostage Status:
   • The whereabouts and conditions of all hostages are unclear. Hamas may not have full knowledge of all captives.
3. Prisoner Demands:
   • Hamas wants the release of prisoners involved in the October attacks, which Israel opposes.
4. Israeli Troop Withdrawal:
   • It is unclear if Israel will set a definitive timeline for pulling out of the buffer zone in Gaza.

The fragility of the ceasefire cannot be ignored. Previous truces between Israel and Hamas have been plagued by skirmishes, and the complexity of this agreement raises the possibility of setbacks.

Background: The October 2023 Attack and Aftermath

The conflict began on 7 October 2023, when Hamas launched a large-scale attack on southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people and taking over 250 hostages.

In response, Israel initiated a massive military campaign targeting Gaza. The offensive has led to significant devastation in Gaza, with over 46,700 fatalities, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.

External Link: BBC

Internal Link: Kenkou Land