Chuck Holton
Politics • Culture • News
Steps Agreed Upon in the Potential Ceasefire Deal in Gaza:
January 16, 2025

1. Implementation and Negotiation Process

  • Finalize consensus to implement the May 27, 2024, agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners.
  • Continue all first-stage procedures during stage two negotiations.
  • Guarantors of the agreement will ensure negotiations continue until an agreement is reached.

2. Israeli Forces Withdrawal

  • Israeli forces to withdraw eastward from densely populated areas near the Gaza border, including Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout).
  • Deployment perimeter established at 700 meters, with exceptions for five localized points up to an additional 400 meters south and west of the border, as per agreed maps.

3. Prisoner Exchange

  • Release 9 ill and wounded individuals from the list of 33 in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
  • Israel to release 1,000 Gazan detainees from October 8, 2023, not involved in events on October 7, 2023.
  • Exchange elderly prisoners (men over 50) at a 1:3 life sentence + 1:27 other sentences ratio.
  • Release Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed based on a 1:30 exchange, plus 47 Shalit prisoners.
  • Additional Palestinian prisoners to be released abroad or to Gaza per agreed lists.

4. Philadelphi Corridor

  • Israeli forces to reduce presence gradually during stage one, as per agreed maps.
  • Full withdrawal of Israeli forces to begin after the last hostage release on day 42 and complete by day 50.

5. Rafah Border Crossing

  • Rafah crossing to be prepared for transferring civilians and wounded after releasing all women (civilian and soldiers).
  • Israeli forces to redeploy around the Rafah Crossing following attached maps.
  • Daily transfer of 50 wounded individuals, each accompanied by three persons, with approvals from Israel and Egypt.
  • Crossing operations to follow August 2024 discussions with Egypt.

6. Exit of Ill and Wounded Civilians

  • All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians to cross via Rafah border crossing per section 12 of the May 27, 2024, agreement.

7. Return of Unarmed Internally Displaced (Netzarim Corridor)

  • Return process follows the May 27, 2024, agreement sections 3-a and 3-b.
  • Day 7: Internally displaced pedestrians return north via Rashid Street without arms or inspections.
  • Day 22: Additional return routes open via Salah a-Din Street without inspections.
  • Vehicles and non-pedestrian traffic return after private company inspections, as determined by mediators in coordination with Israel.

8. Humanitarian Aid Protocol

  • Humanitarian aid to follow protocols agreed upon under mediator supervision.
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