The deal announced Wednesday between Israel and Hamas provides for the release of hostages held by the Islamist movement in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire in the fighting.
About 240 people were taken hostage during the unprecedented and violent attack launched by Hamas on October 7 on Israeli territory near the Gaza Strip, which sparked the latest conflict. They remain held in Gaza – where Hamas took power in 2007 – an enclave that has been subject to intense and indiscriminate bombardment since October 8 by the Israeli army, which vowed to “destroy” the Palestinian movement.
According to the Palestinian Prisoners Club, approximately 7,000 Palestinians are being held in Israel.
Here are the main points of the agreement, in which Qatar, Egypt and the United States played the role of mediators:
Beginning of the duration of the armistice
Qatar declared at 3:30 am on Wednesday (Lisbon time) that a “humanitarian pause for the next 24 hours”, lasting “four days, with the possibility of extension”.
According to various media, the ceasefire should come into effect at 10 a.m. local time (8 a.m. in Lisbon).
The end of hostilities may take “a certain amount of time” before it is realized on the ground, said Majed Al-Ansari, spokesman for the Qatari Foreign Ministry.
A senior Hamas official admitted to the AFP news agency that “a first exchange of 10 hostages for 30 prisoners could take place from Thursday.”
Modalities
According to Israel, a first phase of the deal involves the release of 50 Israeli hostages against 150 Palestinians held in Israel during the four-day truce. The ratio of one hostage to three prisoners must always be respected, and a minimum of ten hostages must be released daily.
According to Israel, further exchanges could then take place, using the same modalities and as part of an extension of the ceasefire, for a total release of 100 hostages for 300 Palestinian prisoners.
“The lists of prisoners are currently being exchanged and verified”said Taher al-Nounou, a senior Hamas official, early Wednesday afternoon.
According to Hamas it is “The Red Cross and the United Nations will play a role” in the application of this agreement.
Throughout the ceasefire, Israel must guarantee the freedom of movement of people, especially along the Salaheddine Road, which crosses the territory of the Gaza Strip from north to south, as requested by the Islamist movement.
The agreement also calls for the end of Israeli aviation flights over the south of the Gaza Strip for four days, and only six hours a day in the north.
Hostages
Under the terms of the deal, “50 women and children under the age of 19” hostages in the Gaza Strip will be released in exchange for Palestinians, Hamas said.
Majed Al-Ansari, Qatar’s diplomatic spokesman, said the deal does not include the release of military personnel.
The hostages are being held by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian armed group that took part in the October 7 attack.
A senior White House official said he expected three U.S. citizens to be among the released hostages.
Palestinian prisoners
According to Hamas, 150 Palestinian prisoners, women and youth under the age of 19, will be released.
Israel has released a list of 300 prisoners: 33 women, 123 teenagers under the age of 18 and 144 young people around the age of 18, who are likely to be released in phases.
These hostages include 49 members of Hamas, 28 of Islamic Jihad, 60 of Palestinian Authority President Mahmud Abbas’ Fatah movement and 17 of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP).
Humanitarian caravans
According to Qatar, the ceasefire should also allow the entry of “as many humanitarian and relief caravans as possible, including fuel” even if the Gaza Strip remains under a total siege imposed by Israel.
“At least 200 to 300 trucks will arrive, including eight trucks with fuel and gas.”said Taher al-Nounou.
Source: DN
