Families and supporters of Israeli hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, gather to demand a deal that will bring back all the hostages held in Gaza, outside a meeting between hostage representatives and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in Jerusalem, January 14, 2025. REUTERS/Ammar Awad
Details of the hostage release and Gaza ceasefire agreement were published on several Israeli and Arab news channels overnight.
After Israel and Hamas confirmed they had reached an outline for both a ceasefire and the release of hostages, Arab and Israeli media published pictures showing part of the details.
The agreement includes a key to the release of the hostages, the gradual withdrawal from the Philadelphi Route, the return of displaced persons to the northern Gaza Strip, the reopening of the Rafah crossing, and other details.
As part of the deal, 33 hostages will be released from Hamas captivity, which includes both the living and the dead. The list of hostages in the release includes all women and children still in captivity, and all men over the age of 50. The Israeli government estimates that most of the hostages on the list are alive – but there is no guarantee.
In the negotiations, Israel effectively waived its previous demand to receive a list of live hostages before the deal was agreed to.
A total of 290 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,687 other prisoners and detainees will be released by Israel in exchange for the hostage release. However, the final number depends on how many hostages are released alive.
The full text of the leaked agreement details is posted below.
Copy of English agreement details shared with All Israel News.
Copy of English agreement details shared with All Israel News.
Appendix 1
Practical procedures and mechanisms to implement the Agreement for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian Prisoners and the return to a sustainable calm which would achieve a permanent ceasefire between the two sides.
1. Stage two preparations:
The parties and the mediators’ objective is to achieve a final consensus to implement the May 27 2024 Agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and return to a sustainable calm which would achieve a permanent ceasefire between the Parties. All procedures in the first stage will continue in stage 2 so long as the negotiations of the conditions of implementing stage 2 are ongoing and the guarantors of this Agreement shall work to ensure that negotiations continue until an agreement is reached.
2. Israeli forces withdrawal:
Withdrawal of Israeli forces eastwards from densely populated areas along the borders of the Gaza strip, including Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout). The Israeli forces will be deployed in a perimeter (700) meters with an exception at 5 localized points to be increased no more than (400) additional meters that the Israeli side will determine, south and west of the border, and based on the maps agreed upon by both sides which accompany the agreement.
3. Prisoner Exchange:
a. The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
b. Israel will release 1,000 Gazan detainees from Oct. 8, 2023 that were not involved in the events of Oct. 7, 2023.
c. The Elderly (men over 50) from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for an exchange key of 1:3 life sentences + 1:27 other sentences.
d. Ebra Mangesto and Hesham el-Sayed – will be released according to an exchange key of 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.
e. A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released abroad or in Gaza based on lists agreed upon between both sides.
4. Philadelphi corridor:
a. The Israeli side will gradually reduce the forces in the corridor area during stage 1 based on the accompanying maps and the agreement between both sides.
b. After the last hostage release of stage one, on day 42, the Israeli forces will begin their withdrawal and complete it no later than day 50.
5. Rafah Border Crossing:
a. The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and the wounded after the release of all women (civilian and soldiers). Israel will work toward the readiness of the crossing as soon as the agreement is signed.
b. Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.
c. 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals. Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.
d. The crossing will be operated based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:
a. All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the May 27, 2024 agreement.
7. Return of unarmed internally displaced (Netzarim Corridor):
a. The return is agreed based on the May 27, 2024 agreement section 3-a and 3-b.
b. On day 7, the internally displaced pedestrians will be allowed to return north, without carrying arms and without inspection via Rashid street. On day 22, they will be allowed to return north from the Salahudin street as well, without inspection.
c. On day 7, vehicles and any non-pedestrian traffic will be allowed to return north of Netzarim corridor after vehicle inspection which will be performed by a private company which will be determined by the mediators in sync with the Israeli side, based on an agreed upon mechanism.
8. Humanitarian aid protocol:
a. Humanitarian aid procedures under the agreement will be done subject to the humanitarian protocol agreed upon under the supervision of the mediators.
