Doha: Qatar, one of the main actors in the effort to stop the current battle in Gaza, announced on Wednesday the first step of an agreement for ceasefire, including the repatriation of 33 Israeli Captives belonging to Hamas. The exchange is part of a broader agreement aimed at halting the war that has devastated the region since October 2023. As a quid pro quo, hundreds of Palestinian convicts will be released in israel.
Details of the Agreement
Hostage and Prisoner Exchange
The deal begins with a ceasefire lasting 42 days, during which Israel and Hamas will exchange hostages and prisoners. Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, Qatar’s Prime Minister, confirmed the release of 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly individuals, and those injured.
Israeli government spokesman David Mencer stated that Israel is prepared to release “hundreds” of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the hostages. Sources say that Israel may be released as many as 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, many of them serving lengthy sentences.
The 33 hostages are among the 94 people taken by Hamas, when it launched its October 7, 2023, siege of Israel. Of these, 34 captives have been reported dead by Israeli.
Israeli Withdrawal and Positions
In the first phase of the ceasefire, Israeli military will partially exit the urban area of Gaza. This action will make possible the prisoner-hostage exchange, of the displaced population, and the exchange of the remains.
However, Israeli forces will maintain a buffer zone extending 800 meters inside Gaza from Rafah in the south to Beit Hanun in the north. Complete withdrawal depends on the release of all the hostages.
Israeli media described that the military would authorize the flow of Gaza’s inhabitants from south to north, a major breakthrough. According to a source in Hamas, displaced people would cross back through an electronic border crossing through the presence of civilians and not through Israeli security forces or Palestinian fighters.
Plans for Subsequent Phases
Negotiations for the second phase will take place in 16th days after the first phase begins. This stage will focus on the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers, military-aged men, and the return of slain hostages’ remains.
The third phase, yet to be finalized, aims to establish a comprehensive ceasefire. Mediators hope this phase will permanently end hostilities, with the withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.
International Monitoring and Mediation
Joint mediators Qatar, the United States, and Egypt will oversee the ceasefire agreement through a monitoring body based in Cairo. Qatar’s prime minister highlighted maintaining stability and the importance of not departing from the accord and expressed hopes for permanent peace.
US President Joe Biden affirmed this attitude, referring to the second stage of the agreement as a step towards a “lasting end of the combat. He pointed out that withdrawal of the Israeli troops shall be later achieved only if it is effectively fulfilled by the stipulations set forth in the agreement.
A Step Toward Peace
With the ceasefire agreement, a major stride has already taken place in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gazaa and providing stability to the surrounding area. As hostilities have caused immense loss of life and displacement, the international community closely watches the progress of this agreement, hoping it marks the beginning of a peaceful resolution.
In this first phase, which remains to be negotiated at phases two and three, the success of this first step is critical in order to achieve a full and permanent ceasefire, delivering hope to the victims of the current conflict.
Disclaimer: This content includes inputs from various news agencies and sources.
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