Cairo (TDI): After three days of indirect talks in Egypt, Israel and Hamas have agreed on the first phase of Gaza ceasefire plan, Trump announced on social media.
The announcement was confirmed by Qatar, as well as Israel and Hamas. Reports suggest that Hamas will hand over all living Israeli hostages within 72 hours, But a statement by Trump said that hostages will be returned by Monday.
Little clarity exists on the timeline. It has also been reported that Hamas has handed over the list of Palestinian prisoners which it wants freed from Israel’s detention. When these prisoners will be released is also unknow yet.
Does this hostage-prisoner exchange comes with the condition of immediate halt to Israeli military operations and air raids, we do not know fully.
The ceasefire is expected to take effect within days, while the agreement looks very fragile for now. And much depends on hostages recovery and prisoners’ return.
Israel’s Prime Minister, Netanyahu, is yet to take his security cabinet and parliament in confidence. With the cabinet, he will discuss the list of prisoners handed over by Hamas.
Read More: First Day of Indirect Israel-Hamas Talks in Egypt Conclude on ‘Positive’ Note
The agreement, announced late Wednesday, arrives two years after October 7, 2023 – the day after which Israel bombarded Gaza to an extent of raising it to ground, killing 67000 Palestinians and starving people in Gaza.
Israeli officials believe around 20 of the 48 hostages held by Hamas are alive. The return of deceased hostages is expected to follow in a second phase, with Israel committing to a partial military withdrawal in parallel with the releases.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Trump spoke on phone and exchanged congratulations over the culmination of this first phase. Trump praised it as a diplomatic triumph and said he expects hostages to be home by Monday.
Celebrations erupted in both Israel and Gaza following the announcement. In Tel Aviv, families of hostages expressed cautious optimism, while in Gaza, war-weary residents welcomed the possibility of relief after months of bombardment and destruction.
Several critical issues, such as the long-term political structure of Gaza, the future of Hamas, and the disarmament of Gaza remain unresolved. Any disagreement over these points carries the risk of reversal of ceasefire and renewed hostilities.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also welcomed the ceasefire announcement and urged all parties to uphold the terms while allowing humanitarian access to Gaza.
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