Text of the proposed ceasefire in Gaza approved by Hamas | Israel War in Gaza News

Al Jazeera obtained a copy of the Gaza ceasefire proposal that Hamas said it had accepted on Monday. The agreement, presented by Egypt and Qatar, would occur in three phases that would lead to an initial cessation of fighting, leading to lasting calm and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territory.

The proposed deal would also guarantee the release of Israeli prisoners in Gaza, as well as an unspecified number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.

Israel has said it does not agree with the proposal, but that it will engage in further talks to secure a deal – while also pressing ahead with its attack on Gaza.

Meanwhile, the United States, which is also involved in the negotiations, said it is reviewing Hamas’ response.

Here is the text of the proposed agreement:

The basic principles for an agreement between the Israeli side and the Palestinian side in Gaza on the exchange of captives and prisoners between them and the return to sustainable calm.

The framework agreement seeks: The release of all Israeli prisoners in the Gaza Strip, civilian or military, living or not, from all periods, in exchange for an agreed number of prisoners held by Israel, and a return to calm sustainable development that leads to a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, its reconstruction and the lifting of the siege.

The framework agreement consists of three related and interconnected phases, which are as follows:

The first stage (42 days)

[Herein] a temporary cessation of military operations between the two parties and the withdrawal of Israeli forces eastward and away from densely populated areas to a defined area along the border along the entire Gaza Strip (including Wadi Gaza, known as the Netzarim, and the Kuwait Rotunda, as below).

All aviation (military and reconnaissance) in the Gaza Strip will cease for 10 hours a day and for 12 hours on days when captives and prisoners are exchanged.

Internally displaced people in Gaza will return to their areas of residence and Israel will withdraw from Wadi Gaza, the Netzarim corridor and the Kuwait Roundabout:

• On the third day (after the release of the three captives), Israeli forces are to completely withdraw from al-Rashid Street in the east to Salah al-Din Street and dismantle military sites and installations in this area.
• Displaced (unarmed) people will return to their areas of residence and all Gaza residents will have freedom of movement in all parts of the Strip.
• Humanitarian aid will be allowed through al-Rashid Street from day one without any obstacles.
• On the 22nd day (after the release of half of the living civilian prisoners in Gaza, including female soldiers), Israeli forces are to withdraw from the center of the Gaza Strip (especially the Netzarim/Martyrs Corridor and the Kuwait Rotunda axis), the east of Salah al-Din Street to a zone along the border, and all military sites and installations will be completely dismantled.
• Displaced people will be allowed to return to their places of residence in northern Gaza and all residents will have freedom of movement in all parts of the Gaza Strip.
• Humanitarian aid, relief materials and fuel (600 trucks per day, including 50 fuel trucks and 300 trucks for the north) will be allowed to enter Gaza intensively and in sufficient quantities from day one. This includes the fuel needed to operate the power station, restart commerce, rehabilitate and operate hospitals, health centers and bakeries in all parts of the Gaza Strip, and operate the equipment needed to remove the rubble. This will continue at every stage.

Exchange of captives and prisoners between the two sides:

During the first phase, Hamas will release 33 Israeli prisoners (dead and alive), including women (civilians and soldiers), children (under 19 who are not soldiers), people over 50 and sick, in exchange for several prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers in accordance with the following [criteria]:

• Hamas will release all living Israeli prisoners, including civilian women and children (under 19 who are not soldiers). In return, Israel will release 30 children and women for every Israeli detainee released, based on lists provided by Hamas, in order of detention.
• Hamas will release all living Israeli captives (over 50 years old), the sick and injured civilians. In return, Israel will release 30 elderly (over 50 years old) and sick prisoners for every Israeli captive, based on lists provided by Hamas, in order of detention.
• Hamas will release all living Israeli female soldiers. In return, Israel will release 50 prisoners for every female Israeli soldier (30 serving life sentences, 20 convicted) based on lists provided by Hamas.

Scheduling the exchange of captives and prisoners between the parties in the first stage:

• Hamas will release three Israeli detainees on the third day of the agreement, after which Hamas will release another three detainees every seven days, starting with women as much as possible (civilians and female soldiers). In the sixth week, Hamas will release all remaining civilian detainees included in this phase. In return, Israel will release the agreed number of Palestinian prisoners, according to lists provided by Hamas.
• Hamas will provide information on Israeli detainees who will be released at this stage by the seventh day (if possible).
• On the 22nd day, the Israeli side will release all Shalit agreement prisoners who were rearrested.
• If there are fewer than 33 living Israeli detainees to be released, several bodies of the same categories will be released to complete this phase. In return, Israel will release all women and children who were detained in the Gaza Strip after October 7, 2023 – provided this is done in the fifth week of this phase.
• The exchange process is linked to the extension of commitment to the agreement, including the cessation of military operations, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of displaced people, as well as the entry of humanitarian aid.
• All necessary legal procedures to ensure that released Palestinian prisoners are not rearrested on the same charges must be completed.
• The first phase steps above do not constitute a basis for second phase negotiation. The punitive measures and penalties that were taken against prisoners and detainees in Israeli prisons and detention camps after October 7, 2023 must be lifted and their conditions improved, including individuals who were detained after this date.
• No later than the 16th day of the first phase, indirect talks will begin between the parties to reach agreement on the details of the second phase of this agreement, with regard to the exchange of prisoners and captives of both parties (soldiers and other men) , as long as they are completed and agreed before the end of the fifth week of this stage.

The United Nations and its agencies, including UNRWA, and other international organizations, should continue to provide humanitarian services throughout the Gaza Strip. This will continue throughout all phases of the agreement.

Infrastructure (electricity, water, sewage, communications and roads) throughout the Gaza Strip will be rehabilitated and equipment necessary for civil defense will be allowed into Gaza to clear rubble and rubble. This will continue throughout all phases of the agreement.

All supplies and equipment needed to shelter displaced people who lost their homes during the war (a minimum of 60,000 temporary homes – caravans – and 200,000 tents) will be allowed into Gaza.

Throughout this phase, an agreed number (not less than 50) of injured military personnel will be allowed to travel through the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment, and an increasing number of sick and injured travelers will be allowed to exit through the Rafah crossing. Rafah as restrictions on travelers are lifted. The movement of goods and trade will return without restrictions.

Necessary agreements and plans for the reconstruction of homes, civilian facilities and civilian infrastructure that were destroyed due to the war, as well as mechanisms to compensate affected people, will be implemented, under the supervision of several countries and organizations, including: Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

All measures in this phase, including temporary cessation of military operations, relief and shelter, withdrawal of forces, etc., will continue in the second phase until sustainable calm is declared (cessation of military and hostile operations).

The second stage (42 days):

A return to sustainable calm (a permanent cessation of military and hostile operations) must be announced and come into force before the exchange of captives and prisoners – all remaining living Israeli men (civilians and soldiers) in exchange for an agreed number of prisoners and detained in Israeli prisons and detention camps.

Israeli forces will completely withdraw from the Gaza Strip.

The third stage (42 days):

An exchange of bodies and remains from both sides after they had been recovered and identified.

The plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip over a period of three to five years – including homes, civil facilities and infrastructure – and compensate all those affected begins, under the supervision of several countries and organizations, including: Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.

Total end of the siege on the Gaza Strip.

Contract guarantors:

Qatar, Egypt, United States and United Nations.

May 5, 2024