Implementation Plan for Gaza Agreement Unveiled

The recently announced agreement for a ceasefire in Gaza outlines a structured approach to address the ongoing conflict. The initial phase is set to last for six weeks, during which the Hamas group is expected to release 33 hostages, comprising women, children, and men over the age of 50. This information was disclosed by Qatar's Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, during a press briefing in Doha. Families of the hostages have been informed, although details regarding their condition remain unclear. Israeli officials believe that the majority of the hostages are still alive.

According to the Israeli government, the first groups of hostages are anticipated to be released as early as Sunday, with reports suggesting a possible time of 14:00 local time. The hostages will be handed over to the Red Cross and teams from Egypt and Qatar, before being transported back to Israel for medical care.

During this first phase, Israeli forces are also expected to gradually withdraw from the central Gaza Strip, allowing displaced Palestinian residents to return to their homes. Aid efforts are to be ramped up, with plans for 600 truckloads of humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza daily. Of these, 300 trucks are designated for the northern region of Gaza, alongside fuel supplies aimed at addressing the urgent needs of the ravaged area. Numerous trucks are currently awaiting clearance at the Rafah border crossing to proceed into Gaza.

In exchange for the release of each civilian hostage, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners from its jails, totaling approximately 1,904 individuals slated for release. The Israeli government clarified that 1,167 of these prisoners are residents of Gaza who were not involved in the attacks perpetrated by Hamas and other extremist groups on October 7, 2023. The majority of these individuals are believed to be Hamas militants who were captured during the prolonged conflict spanning over 15 months. The remaining 737 prisoners include those incarcerated for lesser offenses, such as stone-throwing or illegal border crossings, while some are serving sentences for more severe crimes, including murder. The Israeli Justice Ministry has released a list of 22 individuals facing serious charges related to attacks on Israelis.

The agreement's second phase will commence with negotiations starting on the 16th day of the ceasefire. Discussions will center on the release of any remaining hostages, including Israeli soldiers, as well as a potential long-term ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza.

Phase three of the plan involves the return of the remains of any Israeli hostages who died in captivity, alongside initiatives to begin rebuilding the largely devastated Gaza Strip. However, concerns persist regarding the future role of Hamas in the region, as Israel has expressed a firm stance against allowing Hamas to regain control over Gaza.

The implementation of this agreement is backed by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, who have mediated discussions between Hamas and Israel for several months. Despite the oversight of these mediating countries, the successful execution of the agreement remains uncertain. Observers have raised concerns about the absence of a definitive mechanism to address potential violations of the ceasefire.