Watan–Journalist Tamer Al-Mishal from Al Jazeera revealed details of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, expected to be announced within a few hours.
According to sources speaking to Al-Mishal, the implementation of the deal is expected to begin next Sunday after a three-day preparatory period. The first phase will extend for 42 days, starting with the release of the first group of prisoners. This phase includes the release of female soldiers, the sick, and elderly prisoners on the Palestinian side.
Numerically, 33 Israeli prisoners will be released in the first phase, while Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and around 1,000 detained after October 7, 2023.
According to Al-Mishal, Israel demanded the inclusion of prisoners outside the categories of female soldiers, the sick, and the elderly, whom Hamas considers reservists. This issue was resolved by adding these prisoners to the first phase in exchange for the release of 1,000 Palestinian prisoners detained after October 7, 2023, along with more prisoners serving life sentences.
However, Israel objected to the release of senior Palestinian prisoners during the first phase, according to Al-Mishal.
The first phase also includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Al-Rashid Street (the coastal road), allowing displaced residents to return to their homes. In addition, the Rafah crossing will be opened to allow the evacuation of wounded Palestinians a week after the deal’s implementation, which includes the term “sustainable calm.”
Al-Mishal noted ongoing Palestinian negotiations to discuss the mechanism for reopening the Rafah crossing, mentioning a proposed joint Palestinian administrative committee to manage Gaza after the war, as well as technical committees on the crossing, the return of displaced people, aid entry, reconstruction, and other issues.
Rafah Crossing, Aid, and Reconstruction
Al-Mishal confirmed that Hamas and other resistance factions demanded improvements in the conditions of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, given the dire conditions they have faced since the beginning of the war. The agreement also includes provisions for retrieving the bodies of martyrs in northern Gaza.
The agreement entails forming an Egyptian-Qatari committee to oversee the return of displaced people from southern Gaza to the north. Additionally, the Israeli withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be phased, and Israeli forces will withdraw from residential areas to 700 meters beyond Gaza’s borders.
Israeli forces will also reduce their presence along the Philadelphia Corridor between Gaza and Egypt before eventually withdrawing completely in phases.
Israel has agreed to reopen the Rafah crossing between Gaza and Egypt seven days after the start of the first phase. The agreement includes humanitarian and relief protocols during this phase under the supervision of mediators, with permission for wounded Gazans to travel abroad for treatment.
The ceasefire will continue while negotiations proceed on the second phase of the deal, reducing the likelihood of Israel resuming its war on Gaza.
Hamas has also demanded guarantees for setting a specific timeline for the reconstruction of war-damaged areas in Gaza, according to Al Jazeera sources.
Expected Announcements and International Reactions
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani is expected to hold a press conference to announce the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
Hamas announced on Wednesday evening that it had submitted its approval of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange to Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
Hamas emphasized that it acted responsibly and positively “out of its responsibility toward our steadfast people to halt the aggression and put an end to the massacres.”
Before the press conference, the Qatari prime minister met separately with Hamas negotiators and the Israeli delegation to finalize the ceasefire and prisoner exchange efforts.
Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump announced that a prisoner exchange deal in the Middle East had been reached, confirming that their release would happen soon.
Israeli media reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been informed of the prisoner exchange agreement. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that the Israeli government is expected to vote on the Gaza deal on Thursday.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that a Gaza agreement “could be finalized in the coming hours,” adding that it would be based on the plan proposed by President Joe Biden in May.
The War on Gaza
Since October 7, 2023, Israel has waged an unprecedented war on Gaza, resulting in over 156,000 casualties—mostly children and women—and more than 11,000 missing people amid massive destruction and famine that has killed dozens of children and elderly individuals.
On October 7, 2023, Al-Qassam Brigades launched a large-scale attack on Israeli bases, outposts, and settlements surrounding Gaza, killing hundreds of Israeli soldiers and officers.
Al-Qassam also captured at least 240 Israelis, with over 100 of them released during a temporary humanitarian truce in November 2023, while dozens of hostages were killed in Gaza due to Israel’s continued aggression over the past 15 months.
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