Decoding: What Are the Three Phases Of Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal?

A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is at its closest point yet, according to a statement from Qatar and echoed by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The US Secretary of State said that negotiations to bring an end to the 15-month conflict are in their final stages.

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, according to reports from AP. The agreement, which has been shared by Al Jazeera and Reuters, proposes a three-phased ceasefire deal, starting with a significant prisoner exchange. Initially, Israel is set to release 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female soldier and 30 for each civilian in return for 33 Israeli captives held by Hamas. However, the fate of those convicted of serious crimes remains a point of contention, as they won't be sent back to the Israeli-occupied West Bank or those involved in attacks on Israel.

Three-Phase Ceasefire Deal

The proposed deal involves the following stages:

• Initial Release: Israel will release 33 Israeli captives held in Gaza, with Hamas releasing 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier released and 30 prisoners for each civilian.
• Phased Withdrawal: Israel will begin to withdraw its troops from Gaza, but will maintain a presence in the border perimeter to defend Israeli border towns and villages. Israeli forces will also withdraw from parts of the Philadelphi Corridor, which borders Egypt, and implement security arrangements in the area.
• Return of Remaining Hostages: After 16 days, negotiations will begin on the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers and younger civilians, and the return of the bodies of dead hostages.
• Long-Term Arrangements: The third phase will focus on establishing a new governing body in Gaza and plans for its reconstruction, as well as security measures and humanitarian aid to the region.

As part of the ceasefire agreement, the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza will gradually reopen, facilitating a significant boost in humanitarian aid to the region. This reopening is crucial for improving the dire conditions in Gaza and ensuring a safe environment for its residents.

The implementation of the ceasefire deal will involve international oversight, including security checks at the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza, which will gradually reopen to facilitate humanitarian aid to the region.

Israel's health ministry is preparing for the return of 33 hostages as part of the first phase of the potential ceasefire, with officials noting that their conditions upon return will starkly contrast those of previous hostages released by Hamas. Dr. Sharon Alroy-Preis, from the ministry's public health division, emphasized the expected differences, reflecting on the November 2023 release of 105 hostages by Hamas.

The ongoing negotiations and the proposed ceasefire deal mark a critical step towards resolving the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.