The ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on Wednesday is the first step in a process that will allow for the release of all hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
This is the first temporary end to fighting in the Palestinian territories since November 2023.
The deal still needs approval by Israel's cabinet and parliament, which is expected to do so on Thursday.
Here's how the three proposed stages would work, according to the current draft obtained by news organizations.
Phase 1
The first phase will involve a 42-day cessation of fighting and the gradual release of 33 Israeli hostages from captivity in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
Ninety-seven hostages, including civilians and soldiers, are being held, but only 60 are believed to be alive.
Hamas released three hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, scheduled for Sunday, and plans to release four more on the seventh day.
After that, it will be released weekly for the first six weeks.
Israel plans to release 30 imprisoned Palestinian women, children and elderly people in exchange for the release of all civilian hostages from Gaza.
For every Israeli female soldier released, the Jewish state hands over 50 Palestinian prisoners, including 30 who could be sentenced to life in prison.
In exchange for the bodies being returned to Israel, all Palestinian women and children detained by Israel from Gaza since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, will be released.
Meanwhile, Israeli forces will withdraw to a buffer zone near the Gaza Strip and the Israeli border, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza City and northern Gaza.
During the ceasefire, around 600 humanitarian aid trucks will flow into Gaza every day, 50 of them carrying fuel.
Negotiations on the second stage agreement will begin on the 16th, the first stage.
Phase 2:
If Israel and Hamas reach a further agreement, all remaining hostages will be released, in return for Israel to withdraw completely from Gaza at this stage.
Reaching the next step could be difficult, as Israel has said it will not withdraw completely until the terrorist organization's military and political power is eradicated.
Hamas said it would not release the last hostage until all Israeli forces had withdrawn.
Hamas would have to agree to remove itself from power, which it has hinted it would do, but could still be a factor in forming a future government that Israel does not want.
The draft agreement states that an agreement on the second phase must be reached by the end of the first phase, but Hamas has asked for written guarantees that interim peace can continue until a deal is reached.
The terrorist organization says it will abide by verbal assurances from the United States, Egypt and Qatar.
But Israel does not agree to this, and airstrikes may begin again.
Phase 3:
In the third and final stage, Hamas will trade the remaining bodies of the hostages remaining in Gaza in exchange for a three- to five-year reconstruction plan for the destroyed Palestinian territory under international supervision. It will be.
with post wire
