Hamas Accepts Draft Ceasefire Agreement in Gaza On January 14, 2025, Hamas agreed to a draft ceasefire in Gaza, marking a significant step in ongoing negotiations.

The proposal outlines a phased plan for the release of hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli forces.

Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, officials involved in the talks said on Tuesday (Ohad Zwigenberg/AP)

Hostage Release

Initially, Hamas will release 33 hostages—including children, women (including female soldiers), men over 50, and those who are wounded or sick—over a 42-day period.

Subsequent negotiations, beginning on the 16th day after the agreement takes effect, will address the release of remaining hostages, including male soldiers and men of military age, as well as the return of deceased hostages’ bodies.

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Troop Withdrawal

Israeli forces will conduct a phased withdrawal from certain areas in Gaza while maintaining a presence along the border to protect Israeli towns and villages.

Specific security arrangements will be established in sensitive areas like the Philadelphi Corridor.Unarmed residents from northern Gaza will be allowed to return home, with mechanisms in place to prevent weapons from being reintroduced into these areas.

Humanitarian Aid

The agreement stipulates a significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, allowing up to 600 trucks of aid to enter daily, addressing the severe humanitarian crisis faced by the population.

Prisoner Exchange

In exchange for the hostages, Israel is expected to release a number of Palestinian prisoners, with specific numbers depending on how many hostages are released.

Notably, prisoners convicted of serious offenses, such as murder, will not be released into the West Bank but may be moved to Gaza or other countries.

Future Governance

The agreement does not address who will govern Gaza post-conflict, which remains a complex and contentious issue.Israel has indicated that Hamas cannot play a role in future governance.

Qatari mediators have played a crucial role in facilitating these discussions. While there is optimism about reaching an agreement soon, an Israeli official noted that the details are still being finalized and require approval from Israel’s cabinet before implementation.

Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden has indicated that the ceasefire deal is “on the brink” of being finalized, emphasizing the importance of halting the fighting and ensuring security for Israel

while allowing for humanitarian assistance to Palestinians.

However, there remains resistance from hardliners within Israel’s government regarding the terms of the agreement.

while Hamas has accepted the draft ceasefire agreement, Israel is still reviewing it.The situation remains fluid as negotiators work towards finalizing the details necessary for implementation.