Israel, Hamas agree on ceasefire and hostage exchange in Gaza

Israel and Palestinian militant Hamas have reached a cease-fire agreement on the Gaza war.

It has been more than 15 months since Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

According to officials from arbitration states Qatar and Hamas, the two sides have agreed to a three-stage cease-fire that would stop fighting for 42 days and discuss a permanent truce while exchanging hostages and prisoners.

Israel will put the bilateral agreement to a cabinet vote on the 16th local time.

After the Israeli cabinet approves this, the date of the ceasefire is expected to be decided.

According to the agreement reported by Reuters, Hamas will release 33 hostages in the first stage of a six-week cease-fire.

Hamas plans to release survivors of the hostages first and then return the bodies, first releasing three a week and then releasing all others before the end of the ceasefire.

Israel has decided to release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage released and 50 Palestinian prisoners for every Israeli female soldier.

In particular, all Palestinian women and children captured after October 7, 2023 will be released.

Israeli forces will gradually withdraw troops from Gaza in the first phase of the ceasefire, and both sides will begin detailed discussions on the second phase of the ceasefire, which will include the release of Israeli male soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops on the 16th day of the ceasefire.

By the third stage of the ceasefire, Gaza will be rebuilt under the supervision of arbitration countries such as Egypt and Qatar and the United Nations.