The Palestinian Hamas movement has pledged to release all hostages – including female Israeli soldiers, civilians and children – taken since the conflict began.
According to the agreement, hostage exchanges will be held every three days, with three hostages freed each time. Al Mayadeen TV said the framework agreement will aim to “bring lasting peace and provide the necessary solutions for a ceasefire.”
The agreement provides for three phases, each lasting about 40 days.
In the first phase, the Israeli army will withdraw to the eastern border of the Gaza Strip and all military flights over the enclave will be restricted. This will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the area and allow some evacuees to return home. In addition, Hamas must release all female Israeli soldiers held hostage since October 7, 2023, in exchange for Israel exchanging 40 Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage, including those sentenced to life in prison.
At the end of the first phase, Hamas would release all surviving hostages over the age of 50, as well as the sick and wounded. In return, Israel would exchange 20 Palestinian children and women for each Israeli hostage, or 20 people over the age of 50, sick and wounded in prisons.
The second phase of the proposal, lasting 42 days, includes agreeing and implementing measures to achieve sustainable peace, and starting comprehensive reconstruction of destroyed homes, civilian facilities and infrastructure.
The third phase will involve the exchange of bodies and remains of the deceased from both sides after identification. Egypt, Qatar and the United States will act as intermediaries to facilitate the deal.
Earlier, it was reported that Egypt had proposed to Hamas an initiative agreed with Israel. The initiative included the release of 20 to 40 hostages held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for a ceasefire. A Hamas delegation is expected to travel to Cairo to present to Egypt its response to the latest ceasefire proposal.
In addition, a source from Egypt's Al-Qahera el-Ekhbariya TV said an agreement between Hamas and Israel could be reached in the next few days, despite doubts from all sides.