Israel-Hamas Gaza Ceasefire: Phase 1 Brings Release of 33 Hostages and 737 Prisoners

Er Mukesh Singh

Israel will maintain a buffer zone within Gaza during the first phase of the ceasefire agreement.

Israel’s cabinet has officially approved the ceasefire deal with Hamas, marking a significant step toward ending the 15-month-long war in Gaza. With the approval, the six-week truce is set to begin on Sunday, January 19, providing a much-needed pause in the ongoing conflict. This ceasefire deal, negotiated between the two sides, will allow for the release of hostages and prisoners and aim to reduce the violence that has left thousands dead and caused widespread devastation. The deal also includes provisions for Israel to maintain a buffer zone within Gaza during the first phase of the truce, further shaping the path toward peace and stability in the region.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, despite facing opposition from some far-right members of the government, has accepted the truce deal with Hamas after a high-level meeting. This decision marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict, as the ceasefire deal aims to bring a temporary halt to the violence in Gaza. The approval comes after intense discussions, with Netanyahu’s government navigating internal divisions in order to move forward with the six-week truce, which is set to begin on January 19. The deal is expected to lead to the release of hostages and prisoners, and Israel will maintain a buffer zone within Gaza during the first phase of the ceasefire.

The ceasefire deal, which was mediated by key negotiators Qatar and Egypt with US officials closely involved, aims to bring an end to the war that began with Hamas’ surprise attack into Israel on October 7, 2023. The agreement includes provisions for hostages and prisoners to be released and for a six-week truce, starting January 19, 2025.

Courtesy: BBC News

The first phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal will last for 42 days and involves the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The hostages will include civilian women, children, the elderly, and the ill or wounded, according to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release 737 prisoners and detainees, including men, women, and children. This phase will also see Israeli forces withdrawing from certain areas within Gaza, although they will maintain a buffer zone up to 800 meters inside Gaza to ensure security.

The hostages will be transported to designated points, where they will undergo medical evaluations before being transferred to hospitals in Israel. While Israeli troops will retreat from specific locations, displaced Palestinians will not be allowed to return to areas with military presence or those near the Israel-Gaza border during the initial 42 days.

The ceasefire is part of a broader effort to resolve the ongoing conflict that began with Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel in October 2023. The deal was mediated by Qatar and Egypt, with US officials also playing a key role in negotiations.

Courtesy: CNN

Negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas are set to begin on the “16th day” of the first phase’s implementation. This follows the six-week truce deal’s initial period, which focuses on the release of hostages and prisoners, as well as Israeli forces withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza. The second phase is expected to address further key issues, though specific details have yet to be outlined.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani stated that the mediating countries—Qatar, Egypt, and the US—will closely monitor the truce deal through a monitoring body based in Cairo. He emphasized that there is a “clear mechanism to negotiate phase two and three” of the ceasefire, ensuring continued dialogue and adherence to the terms of the agreement as it progresses. This structure aims to provide oversight and facilitate negotiations for subsequent phases of the truce, helping to sustain the peace process.

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani expressed hope that the ceasefire deal would mark “the last page of the war,” urging all parties to commit to implementing the terms of the agreement. Outgoing US President Joe Biden further emphasized that the second phase of the truce would aim to bring a “permanent end to the war.” This phase would include the release of all remaining hostages still alive, followed by the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, signaling a potential long-term resolution to the conflict.

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