As the IDF prepares to enter Rafah and the Prime Minister spoke on this subject with President Biden late in the afternoon, Hamas made a surprising announcement.
He declared that he accepted the ceasefire agreement and the release of the hostages. It should be recalled that earlier in the afternoon, the terrorist organization informed that it was breaking off negotiations amid Israeli preparations to enter Rafah.
In Israel, this news was received with great caution. The agreement in question was prepared by Egypt and Qatar without Israel being involved and therefore does not have the approval of the Israeli authorities.
Israeli officials indicated that neither Israel nor the United States had knowledge of the agreement.
What we know about this agreement so far is this three-stage agreement which provides for the return of all displaced people in the north of the Gaza Strip and ultimately a lasting ceasefire:
- 1st stage which must last 40 days: provisional ceasefire and withdrawal of the IDF from populated areas of the Gaza Strip towards the Israeli border. Furthermore, Israel’s aerial surveillance of the Gaza Strip will cease for 8 hours a day and then 10 hours during the days when hostages are released.
The amount of humanitarian aid and gasoline entering Gaza will be increased.
Hamas will release 33 hostages alive, including women, children, adults over 50, the sick and the wounded.
Israel will give in exchange 20 Palestinian prisoners under the age of 19 and female prisoners for each hostage released, based on a list provided by Hamas.
For each hostage over 50 years old, 20 Palestinian prisoners over 50 years old and sentenced to less than 10 years in prison will be released.
For every soldier released, 40 Palestinian prisoners will be released by Israel, including 20 who are sentenced to life sentences and 20 to sentences of more than 10 years.
Hamas will release 3 hostages on the first day of this first phase then 3 hostages every 3 days until the 33rd day.
Until the 7th day of the agreement, Hamas will provide a list of the remaining hostages in addition to the 33 released belonging to the categories mentioned above and they can be released from the 34th day.
The ceasefire will be extended by the number of hostages remaining, one day per hostage.
Israel in exchange will release an equivalent number of prisoners.
By the 16th day of the agreement at the latest, discussions must begin to achieve a lasting ceasefire. NGOs and the UN will then begin their work to restore infrastructure throughout the Gaza Strip for the duration of the agreement.
- 2nd stage: release of all men still alive (42 days)
In exchange, Israel will release an agreed number of prisoners.
Discussions for a lasting ceasefire must be completed.
The IDF withdraws completely from the Gaza Strip.
- 3rd stage: return of the bodies of the hostages (42 days)
In exchange, Israel will return bodies of terrorists.
Five-year plan to restore the Gaza Strip begins
The IDF spokesperson indicated that as preparations for the Rafah incursion continue, Israel is thoroughly examining the proposal accepted by Hamas.
However, several officials have already indicated that this proposal does not correspond to Israel’s red lines.
