First Stage of the Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Deal
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RDA Gulf Correspondent - . January 15, 2025
- . Update: January 16, 2025 10:06 am
On Tuesday, January 14, Hamas accepted a draft ceasefire agreement for the current battle in the Gaza Strip. Although the specifics were still being finalized, an Israeli official informed the Associated Press that progress had been achieved. The initiative would also need final approval from the Israeli Cabinet which might be a barrier.
Biden established a framework in June 2024 that serves as the foundation for the three-phase plan. In exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, the first phase would include “a full and complete ceasefire,” the evacuation of Israeli forces from all populated areas of Gaza and the release of 33 Israeli hostages including women, the elderly and the wounded who were taken by Hamas on October 7. The first phase would last for six weeks.
According to the AP, all civilian prisoners, whether alive or dead will have been freed by the end of the first phase. Although Israel’s military operation has resulted in the widespread destruction of extensive sections of Gaza, Biden stated at the time that Palestinian citizens would “return to their homes and neighborhoods in all areas of Gaza including in the north.” 600 trucks would arrive every day to deliver humanitarian aid.
