The U.S., Qatar, and Egypt have brokered a multi-phase agreement aimed at addressing the humanitarian crisis and escalating tensions between Israel and Hamas, according to a report by the Israeli newspaper Haaretz. The agreement outlines a three-stage implementation plan.
In the first phase, 33 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza will be released in stages, along with more than 700 Palestinians currently detained in Israeli prisons. Additionally, over 1,100 Gaza residents who were reportedly “not involved” in the events of October 7 will also be freed, according to an official statement from the Israeli government. Furthermore, Israeli troops will gradually withdraw from Gaza to facilitate the entry of international aid into the region.
Despite opposition from hard-right members of the government, Israel’s Cabinet approved the agreement in the early hours of Saturday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office issued a statement confirming that the initial exchange of prisoners is expected to take place “as early as Sunday.”
Negotiations for the second phase are scheduled to begin on the 16th day of the cease-fire. This stage will focus on discussing the possibility of a permanent end to hostilities, a comprehensive withdrawal of Israeli armed forces, and the release of all remaining hostages.
The third phase will address the return of deceased hostages and initiate large-scale rebuilding efforts in Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction during the conflict. Over the last six months, more than 46,000 Palestinians have lost their lives, while nearly 2 million residents have been forcibly displaced. Reports from November 2024 indicate that almost 60 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed.
This agreement marks a significant step toward alleviating the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza and de-escalating one of the most prolonged and deadly conflicts in recent years.
Leave a Reply