A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that will see 33 hostages set free and a phased withdrawal of IDF forces from parts of Gaza has been reached.
If confirmed, the multi-stage deal would also allow a surge in humanitarian aid into Gaza, which has been devastated by more than a year of war.
Follow live: Ceasefire agreed
Details of what the agreement entails have been emerging on Wednesday after the initial news of the deal broke. Here’s what we know so far.
Image: Relatives and supporters of Israeli hostages hold photos of their loved ones during a protest on 8 January. Pic: AP
Hostages to be returned
In the first stage of the potential ceasefire, 33 hostages are to be set free over the course of six weeks – with at least three released each week.
These include all women (including female soldiers), children and men over the age of 50.
It was previously reported that Israel believes most of these hostages are alive.
In return for the release of the hostages, Israel will free between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every female Israeli soldier that Hamas releases.
Read more:A timeline of events since the 7 October attacksThe hostages who still haven’t returned home
Image: Smoke billows as buildings lie in ruin in Beit Hanoun in Gaza. Pic: Reuters
A possible end to the conflict – in three phases
An initial six-week phase of the ceasefire includes the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to the north.
As detailed above, during this period Hamas will release the first tranche of 33 hostages and Israel will release dozens of Palestinian detainees.
Negotiations over a second phase of the agreement are to begin on the 16th day of phase one and are expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
A third phase is expected to include the return of the bodies of the dead hostages and the beginning of Gaza’s reconstruction, a mammoth task that will be supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the UN.
What will happen to Gaza in the future?
There is little detail about the future of Gaza – from how it will be governed, to any guarantees that this agreement will bring a permanent end to the war.
The international community has said Gaza must be run by Palestinians, but there has not been a consensus about how this should be done.
In the past, Israel has said it will not end the war leaving Hamas in power. It also previously rejected the possibility of the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited governing powers in the West Bank, from taking over the administration of Gaza.
Since the beginning of its military campaign in Gaza, Israel has also said it would retain security control over the territory after the fighting ends.
Source : Sky News
