Agreement Reached for Hostage Return and Ceasefire in Gaza
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that a pivotal agreement had been reached to facilitate the return of hostages held in Gaza. The deal, brokered by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, calls for a temporary pause in fighting and a phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
Until the deal was finalized, Netanyahu refrained from commenting, but he now confirms that Israel has secured the return of its hostages, both living and deceased. The Prime Minister’s Office reiterated Israel’s commitment to achieving all the goals of the ongoing conflict.
The ceasefire deal is structured into three distinct phases, with the first phase focusing on hostages, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian aid. Hamas will release 33 Israeli captives, including civilians, female soldiers, and children, while Israel will free 50 Palestinian prisoners for each female soldier and 30 for each civilian hostage. Furthermore, Israel will allow the return of Palestinian women and children under 19 who have been detained in Gaza since October 2023, and up to 600 trucks of humanitarian aid will be permitted into the region.
The second phase, contingent on the success of the first, will see the full release of remaining hostages, mostly Israeli soldiers, and Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza. The pullback will also include the militarized Philadelphi corridor, an area critical to the conflict between Gaza and Egypt. This stage is intended to help reduce tensions and lay the groundwork for long-term peace.
Finally, if both prior phases are executed successfully, the third phase will focus on the return of deceased captives and the reconstruction of Gaza, overseen by international authorities. The goal is to ensure peace and stability in the region after over 15 months of relentless violence.
The United States has expressed confidence that the ceasefire will come into effect by Sunday, pending approval from Israel’s security cabinet. Despite earlier delays and claims of Hamas undermining the deal, this agreement represents a crucial step toward de-escalation and long-term peace.
