19.01.2025 09:10
Following the Israeli Security Cabinet, the Israeli government has also approved a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza, with the ceasefire set to begin at 09:30 AM Turkish time. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the ceasefire would not proceed if Hamas fails to provide the list of hostages to be released, issuing a "last-minute" threat.
Since October 7, 2023, more than 46,000 innocent lives have been lost in the attacks carried out by Israel on the Gaza Strip from the air, land, and sea.
An agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza. The ceasefire agreement has been approved by the Israeli government and has come into effect. According to the plan, the ceasefire in Gaza is set to begin today at 08:30 (local time 09:30).
"NO CEASEFIRE UNTIL THE LIST OF HOSTAGES COMES"
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated in his remarks regarding the ceasefire process that if Hamas does not provide the list of hostages to be released, the ceasefire will not progress. He also emphasized that if the second phase of the agreement fails, operations in Gaza will continue.
GENOCIDE IS ENDING
According to a report by Haaretz, with the implementation of the ceasefire, Israel will suspend its air force observation activities in Gaza and halt all flights over the region. During the 42-day first phase of the agreement, the Israeli air force will suspend its activities over Gaza for 12 hours on the days when hostages are released and for 10 hours on other days.
DETAILS OF THE AGREEMENT
According to the cabinet decision of the Israeli government, which includes the details of the agreement, it is expected that the prisoner exchange will take place after 16:00 (local time 17:00) on the first day the agreement comes into effect.
In a report by the Times of Israel, it was stated that the three hostages to be released will be handed over to the Red Cross and then transferred to Israel, where they will be received by the Israeli military medical team. The Ministry of Health has prepared six hospitals to accept the Israeli hostages.
After the handover of the Israeli hostages, around 90 Palestinian hostages will also be released from Israeli prisons. It was noted that security authorities are preparing to prevent celebrations by Palestinians for the released hostages.
Reports indicate that Israel was previously disturbed by the celebratory demonstrations of Palestinians during earlier prisoner exchange agreements and wanted to prevent this. Following the prisoner exchange in November 2023, the Israeli army and police conducted raids on the homes of Palestinian hostages residing in occupied East Jerusalem and areas of Israel, forcibly dispersing those waiting to welcome them.
PRISONER EXCHANGE
According to the decision published by the Israeli government after the cabinet meeting, it is expected that more than 1,900 Palestinians, including 1,167 Gazans arrested after October 7, 2023, will be released in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages. The agreement includes a condition for the expulsion of some Palestinian hostages.
Additionally, Israel will release all women and children under the age of 19 who have been detained since October 7. For each released Israeli hostage, Israel will release 30 Palestinian hostages, and for each soldier or security personnel, 50 Palestinians will be released.
On the first day of the agreement, 3 hostages will be released, 4 on the 7th day, and thereafter three Israeli hostages will be released each week, with 14 Israeli hostages planned to be released in the last week. Negotiations for the second phase will begin on the 16th day of the first phase of the ceasefire. Statements from high-ranking officials in Israel, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, raise concerns that Israel may continue its intense attacks on Gaza after the 42-day first phase.
PALESTINIANS TO BE RELEASED
The Israeli Ministry of Justice shared the names of 735 Palestinian hostages to be released under the agreement. Among the Palestinians to be released are prominent figures such as Zakaria Zubeidi, one of the leaders of the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigade, and Khalida Jarrar, a former parliament member and leader of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, as well as previously sentenced life prisoners.
The ministry had also published the names of 95 Palestinian hostages to be released from Israeli prisons as part of the prisoner exchange. In a written statement from the Prisoners' Information Office in the Gaza Strip, it was announced that the list of names of the hostages to be released by Hamas would be published one day before each prisoner exchange day.
ISRAEL WILL WITHDRAW FROM NETZARIM ON JANUARY 22
According to the agreement, the Israeli army will dismantle the checkpoints in the Netzarim Corridor between the south and north of the Gaza Strip on January 22 and withdraw from the corridor. After the release of a total of 7 Israeli hostages on the 7th day of the agreement, the Israeli army will begin to withdraw from Gaza, allowing residents of northern Gaza to return to their homes. Israel's complete withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor will occur 50 days after the agreement comes into effect, during the second phase.
HUMANITARIAN AID
According to the agreement, 600 trucks of humanitarian aid will enter daily, including 50 fuel trucks that will reach northern Gaza. The report by Haaretz stated that while the return of the population to northern Gaza will be allowed, due to the near-total destruction of homes in the area, international aid organizations will work to establish tent and caravan cities in this region. The report also mentioned that roads, schools, hospitals, and water, sewage, and electricity infrastructure will be repaired, and Egyptian companies will be allowed to enter for this purpose.
THE AGREEMENT CONSISTS OF 3 PHASES
Qatar, one of the mediating countries, announced on January 15 that an agreement had been reached between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and prisoner exchange in Gaza. The agreement will come into effect on Sunday, January 19. The ceasefire agreement, which will consist of three phases, will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages during the first 42 days.
The agreement includes comprehensive humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip as well as the return of displaced Palestinians to their regions. The details of the second and third phases will be announced upon the completion of the first phase.