Hamas has accepted a ceasefire proposal in the Gaza Strip, which includes the release of dozens of hostages, according to two officials involved in the negotiations. An Israeli representative confirmed progress in the talks, but details remain being worked out.
The Associated Press had access to a copy of the plan, the authenticity of which was confirmed by an Egyptian official and a Hamas representative. However, the deal will need to be approved by the Israeli government before it can be finalized. The three officials gave statements on condition of anonymity as the discussions were confidential behind closed doors. Israel has said it will not hand over the body of Yahya Sinwar, former Hamas leader, even if an agreement is reached on a truce and the release of the hostages.
Israeli authorities have not commented on whether they would grant immunity to current Hamas leaders or exile senior figures of the movement to a third country as part of the deal. However, Israel maintains the cessation of Hamas control over the Gaza Strip as an essential condition for the end of hostilities.
The final draft
1- Temporary suspension of mutual military operations of the parties and withdrawal of Israeli forces towards the east and away from densely populated areas in an area along the border in all areas of the Gaza Strip, including the Gaza Valley (Netzarim axis and roundabout of Kuwait).
2- The temporary suspension of air activity (for military and reconnaissance purposes) in the Gaza Strip for 10 hours a day and for 12 hours on the days of release of kidnappers and prisoners.
3- The return of displaced people to their areas of residence and the withdrawal from the Gaza Valley (Netsarim axis and Kuwait roundabout):
A. On the seventh day (after the release of 7 detainees), Israeli forces completely withdraw from Al-Rashid Street east to Salah al-Din Street, completely dismantle military sites and installations in this area and begin the return of displaced persons to their areas of residence (without carrying weapons during the return), as well as the freedom of movement of the population in all areas of the Strip, and the entry of humanitarian aid from Al-Rashid Street starting from the first day and without obstacles.
B. On the 22nd day, Israeli forces will withdraw from the center of the Strip (particularly from the Ntsarim axis and the Kuwait roundabout axis) east of Salah al-Din Road to an area close to the border, and military positions and installations will be completely dismantled, and the return of displaced persons to their places of residence (without carrying weapons with them when returning to their homes) in the north of the Strip will continue, and the freedom of movement of the population in all the areas of the Strip.
C. Starting from the first day, intensive and sufficient quantities of humanitarian aid, relief materials and fuel will be introduced (600 trucks per day, including 50 fuel trucks, of which 300 for the north), including the fuel needed for the operation of the power plant, trade and equipment necessary for the removal of the ruble, and the rehabilitation and operation of hospitals, health centers and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and continuing so in all phases of the agreement.
4- Exchange of hostages and prisoners between the two sides:
A. During the first phase, Hamas releases 33 Israeli detainees (trainees or corps), including women (civilians and female recruits), children (under 19 years old non-soldiers), elderly people (over 50 years old), and wounded and sick civilians , in exchange for a certain number of prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers, according to the following:
B- Hamas releases all living Israeli detainees, including civilian women and children (under 19, not soldiers). In exchange, Israel releases 30 children and women for every Israeli detainee released, based on lists provided by Hamas, based on the oldest arrest.
B. Hamas releases all Israeli detainees, elderly people (over 50 years old) and sick and injured civilians. In exchange, Israel releases 30 elderly (over 50 years old) and sick prisoners for every Israeli detainee, based on lists provided by Hamas, according to the oldest arrest.
C. Hamas releases all Israeli recruits alive. In exchange, Israel releases 50 prisoners from its prisons for every Israeli recruit released (30 lifers, 20 serving other sentences and no more than 15 years old) based on lists provided by Hamas.
With the exception of an agreed number of prisoners (at least 100), their situation will be discussed in the second phase of the Convention…
An agreed number (at least 50) of prisoners serving life sentences abroad or in Gaza will be released.
5- Planning the exchange of prisoners and prisoners between the two parties in the first phase:
On the first day of the agreement, Hamas will release 3 Israeli hostages (civilian).
On the seventh day of the agreement, Hamas will release four more Israelis (civilians)…
Thereafter, Hamas will release three more Israeli abductees every seven days, women (civilians and soldiers) first, and all living abductees will be released before the bodies are returned.
In the sixth week, Hamas will release all remaining civilian detainees included in this phase. In exchange, Israel will release an agreed number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, according to lists that Hamas will present.
By the seventh day, Hamas will broadcast information on the number of Israeli abductees who will be released at this stage.
C. In the sixth week (after the release of Hisham Al-Sayed and Afra Mengistu, who were part of a total of 33 abductees whose release was agreed in the first phase of the agreement), the Israeli side will release 47 prisoners of Shalit agreement that they had been imprisoned for the second time.
D. If the number of live abducted Israelis scheduled for release does not reach 33, the number of bodies of the same categories will be completed for this phase; in exchange, Israel will release in the sixth week all women and children (under 19 years old) who were arrested from the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023.
E. The exchange process is linked to the extent of compliance with the terms of the agreement, including the cessation of military operations by both sides, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced persons and the entry of humanitarian aid.
Palestinian prisoners who are re-released will not be arrested on the same charges for which they were previously arrested, and the Israeli side will not take the initiative to re-arrest released Palestinians to serve the remainder of their sentences. Palestinian prisoners to be released will not be required to sign any documents as a condition of their release.
7. The exchange of abductees and prisoners in the first phase above will not be considered the basis for the exchange keys in the second phase.
8. No later than the sixteenth day, indirect negotiations will begin between the two Parties for the agreement on the terms of implementation of the second phase of this Agreement, including those relating to the keys of exchange of abductees and prisoners between the two Parties ( soldiers and other men). Agreements on this point must be reached before the end of the fifth week of this phase.
9. The United Nations, its agencies and other international organizations will continue their work in providing humanitarian services in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and will continue to do so during the phases of the agreement.
10- Start the rehabilitation of infrastructure (electricity, water, sanitation, communications and roads) in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and introduce the necessary equipment for civil protection, and to remove rubble and rubble, and the above will continue for all phases of the agreement.
11. It will be possible to introduce the necessary supplies and requirements for the creation of shelters for displaced people who lost their homes during the war (at least 60,000 temporary accommodation – caravans – and 200,000 tents).
12. After the release of all Israeli soldiers, a greater number of military wounded will arrive at the Rafah crossing than the number agreed for medical treatment, the number of people and the sick and wounded authorized to pass through the Rafah crossing will increase and they will removed restrictions on the use of transit passengers, movement of goods and trade.
13. Start the implementation of agreements and plans necessary for the complete reconstruction of homes, civilian buildings and civilian infrastructure destroyed due to the war and compensate the affected people under the supervision of a number of countries and organizations, including Egypt , Qatar and the United Nations.
14. All actions of this phase, including the temporary cessation of military operations by both sides, relief and reception efforts, withdrawal of troops, etc. will continue in the second phase as long as negotiations on the conditions continue. The second phase of this agreement continues to be implemented. The guarantors of this agreement will make every effort to ensure that these indirect negotiations continue, so that the parties can reach agreements on the conditions of implementation of the second phase of this agreement.
Phase II (42 days):
15- The announcement of the return of sustainable calm (a permanent cessation of military operations and all hostile activities) and that it will come into force before the start of the exchange of detainees and prisoners between the two sides – all remaining Israeli men alive (civilians and soldiers) – in exchange for an agreed number of prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces out of the Gaza Strip.
Phase III (42 days):
16- The bodies and remains of the dead in the possession of both parties will be exchanged after reaching and identifying them.
17. The implementation of the reconstruction plan of the Gaza Strip for a period of 3 to 5 years, including houses, civilian buildings and civilian infrastructure, and compensation for all affected people will begin under the supervision of a series of Countries and organizations, including Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.
Open the crossings and allow the movement of people and goods.
The guarantors of the agreement:
Qatar, Egypt, United States