The negotiating parties have reached an agreement to end the war in the Gaza Strip between Israel and the Palestinian armed group "Hamas". Reuters summarizes the main points of the ceasefire agreement:
* A six-week initial phase of the ceasefire, which includes a gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to the northern enclave.
* The deal calls for 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to be allowed into Gaza every day of the ceasefire, with 50 of them carrying fuel and 300 of the trucks to be distributed in northern Gaza.
* "Hamas" will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women (military and civilian), children and men over the age of 50. The group will first release female hostages and youth under the age of 19, followed by men over the age of 50.
* Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for every civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian prisoners for every female military officer released by Hamas.
* By the end of the initial phase of the agreement, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 held since October 7, 2023. The total number of Palestinians released will depend on the number of hostages released and could range between 990 and 1,650 Palestinian prisoners, including men, women and children.
* Hamas will release the hostages within six weeks, releasing at least three hostages each week, and will release the rest by the end of the period. After the hostages are released, the remains of the dead hostages will also be handed over to Israel.
* The implementation of the agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.
* Negotiations for the second phase of the agreement will begin by the 16th day of the first phase and are expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers.
* The third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining bodies of dead hostages and the beginning of the reconstruction of Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar and the UN.