How Will The Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Play Out? A Look At How Mediators Planned Gaza Accord

Last Updated:January 15, 2025, 23:42 IST

Doha and Cairo played a major role in the mediation process as it hosted Israel, Hamas, US and the UN and helped plan out the Gaza Accord.

Palestinians react as they wait for news of a ceasefire deal with Israel, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. (IMAGE: REUTERS)

Mediators on Wednesday announced the Gaza Accord which is likely to bring an end to the war in the blockaded coastal enclave triggered by Hamas by an attack on Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023.

The retaliatory offensive in the Gaza Strip saw the deaths of thousands of civilians, including elderly men, women and children as Israel bombed Gaza, turning many parts of the small strip of Palestinian land to rubble.

Hamas’ terrorist attack killed over 1,200 Israelis, most of them civilians, pushing Israel to follow an almost scorched earth policy in its retaliatory offensive that saw over 46,000 people killed and thousands displaced.

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The truce agreement, that led to celebrations in streets of Gaza and Palestinian West Bank, will end a 15-month long war that almost engulfed entirety of West Asia, with Iran’s ‘Axis of Resistance’ also joining in to support Hamas.

The draft agreement awaiting formal announcement proposes a six-week ceasefire and gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, alongside a phased release of hostages and prisoners. An official source shared details of the three-phase plan with Reuters.

The initial phase focuses on a six-week ceasefire, during which 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children and men over 50, will be freed.

In return, Palestinian prisoners held by Israel will also be released.

Negotiations for the second phase will commence by the 16th day of the initial phase. This phase is expected to address the release of all remaining hostages.

It will also seek a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The third and final phase of the agreement is expected to focus on humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. It will include the return of all remaining deceased individuals to their families and the rebuilding of Gaza. This process will be supervised by international mediators, including Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations (UN).

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