A 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is set to commence on Sunday, aiming to halt the bloodshed in Gaza after weeks of devastating conflict. The agreement, mediated by Qatar and the United States, outlines a prisoner-hostage exchange as its central component.
Under the initial phase of the deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, elderly individuals, and those with medical needs.
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Israeli officials have highlighted the heavy price being paid, with hundreds of Palestinian prisoners set to be freed in return. A preliminary list of 737 Palestinian prisoners, primarily women and minors, has already been published by Israel’s justice ministry.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani described the hostages as “civilian women and female recruits, as well as children and elderly individuals,” while underscoring the significance of the deal as a pathway to eventual peace. The 33 hostages to be released were among 94 individuals abducted during Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel, which left over 1,200 Israelis dead. Of the captives, 34 have been declared dead by the Israeli military.
Preparations for the exchange are in place, with hostages set to be received at designated points along the Gaza border. The ceasefire will take effect from 6.30 (GMT) on Sunday. Medical teams and mental health specialists will assess the hostages before transferring them to hospitals in Israel. In return, Palestinian prisoners will be released, with the first exchange expected by Sunday afternoon.
Military adjustments
As part of the ceasefire agreement, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza, creating opportunities for displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. However, a security buffer zone up to 800 metres inside Gaza will remain under Israeli control, ensuring no militant activity occurs near the border. Displaced individuals will be permitted to return through monitored checkpoints, which will exclude Israeli military presence.
An Israeli official stated that the military has revised its defensive strategies, including bolstering security along the Gaza border. “Residents will not be allowed to return to areas where Israeli troops are stationed or close to the border,” the official added. Discussions on subsequent phases of the ceasefire are expected to begin after 16 days, potentially paving the way for the release of remaining hostages.
Meanwhile, mediators in Cairo will monitor compliance with the ceasefire terms, with Qatar, the United States, and Egypt facilitating negotiations. International leaders, including US President Joe Biden, have expressed optimism that this agreement could bring a “permanent end to the war.” Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, where much of the population has been displaced, are also set to resume.
The ceasefire, which has faced opposition from some Israeli far-right ministers, represents a significant step toward ending the war. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved the deal after major deliberations. Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, has warned that Israeli strikes could jeopardise the agreement, urging all parties to uphold their commitments.
The war, triggered by Hamas’s cross-border attack, has left over 46,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza’s health ministry, with international calls for a ceasefire growing louder.
