All key details about the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement
U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas, following indirect negotiations held earlier this week in Egypt, had reached an agreement to implement the first phase of his proposed peace plan for the Gaza Strip.
A source familiar with the agreement told Reuters that the signing of the first phase of the ceasefire is expected to take place at noon on Thursday, October 9.
The source added that the ceasefire in Gaza will take effect immediately after the official signing of the agreement.
When will the ceasefire be officially signed?
The official signing ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 9 at 12:00 p.m. Cairo time in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh.
Later that day, Israel’s security and political cabinet will hold a meeting to give preliminary approval to the agreement.
Following that, Israel’s full cabinet will convene for final ratification of the deal.
When will the Israeli army withdraw?
Within 24 hours of the signing, the Israeli army will begin withdrawing from a series of designated areas known as the “Yellow Line,” stretching from Khan Younis in the south to Beit Lahia in the north.
Timeline for the release of Israeli settlers held in Gaza
Within 72 hours of the signing, Israeli settlers held captive in Gaza will be released simultaneously and without any public ceremony, while the return of the bodies of deceased captives will take place gradually.
According to informed sources, the live captives are expected to be released by Saturday, October 11.
How many Palestinian prisoners will Be released?
After the release of the Israeli captives, about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners will be freed from Israeli prisons. Among them will be 250 prisoners serving life sentences or heavy terms, as well as a number of detainees from the Gaza Strip.
A senior Hamas official confirmed that the movement will release 20 Israeli captives in exchange for the release of over 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since the start of the war.
What are the provisions for humanitarian aid entry into Gaza?
The agreement stipulates the entry of at least 400 aid trucks per day into Gaza during the first five days after the start of the ceasefire.
The number of trucks will gradually increase in the following days, and Palestinians displaced to southern Gaza will be allowed to return to Gaza City and the northern regions once the ceasefire takes effect.
This agreement marks the first step toward implementing President Trump’s proposed peace plan, aiming to end the war and initiate the reconstruction process in Gaza.