Above Photo: Reuters.
Israel’s captives are set to be released after 72 hours.
In exchange for the release of nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
The newly announced ceasefire agreement, which was reached by mediators overnight, is set to take effect in Gaza on 9 October.
Phase one of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan will begin in the coming hours and days.
According to Israel’s Channel 14, the signing of the agreement will be followed by Israeli cabinet and government meetings to ratify the deal.
The Israeli army will then carry out its first withdrawal from Gaza’s population centers, in line with the agreement’s withdrawal map.
Twenty living Israeli captives will be released following 72 hours. In exchange, Tel Aviv is required to release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Palestinians detained from Gaza since 7 October 2023.
It remains unclear if Israel has approved the list of high-profile prisoners whose release Hamas has demanded, as the names have not been published.
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan said five border crossings will be opened for aid to enter the strip and be distributed by the UN and international aid groups.
According to an Israeli official in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, cited by Channel 12, the ceasefire will not come into effect until the government ratifies the agreement on Thursday afternoon.
Drone strikes and artillery shelling have been reported in Gaza, despite announcements of the ceasefire.
Trump announced early Thursday that the “first phase” of the deal has been signed off on following hours of negotiations in Egypt.
“This means that ALL of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw [its] troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable and everlasting Peace,” he added, calling it a “great day for the world.”
“Tonight, an agreement was reached on all the provisions and implementation mechanisms of the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which will lead to ending the war, the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of aid. The details will be announced later,” said Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari.
Hamas also released a statement confirming that an agreement has been reached.
“An agreement has been reached to end the war on Gaza, withdraw occupation forces from the strip, allow the entry of aid, and carry out a prisoner exchange,” Hamas said. “We call upon President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement, and all Arab, Islamic, and international parties to compel the occupation government to fully implement the terms of the agreement and prevent it from evading or delaying.”
“We affirm that the sacrifices of our people will not be in vain,” it added.
