Israel and Hamas Prepare to Implement Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

 

GAZA/JERUSALEM – After weeks of tension and intense conflict, Israel and Hamas are preparing to implement

a ceasefire agreement in Gaza. The official signing ceremony is expected to take place later Thursday in Egypt’s Sharm el-Sheikh, following three days of intensive negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States, according to Palestinian and Israeli sources.

Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan confirmed in an interview with Qatar’s Alaraby Television Network that the ceasefire will take effect immediately upon approval from the Israeli government. The initial phase of the agreement will see Israeli withdrawal from key areas, including Gaza City, northern Gaza, Rafah, and Khan Younis. Additionally, five crossings will be opened to allow humanitarian aid into the region, with international agencies overseeing its distribution.

Hamdan also emphasized that drone operations over Gaza’s airspace will cease during the prisoner release process. The plan includes the release of 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 additional detainees. Palestinian sources reported that Hamas has already submitted prisoner lists to mediators and is awaiting final approval. Zaher Jabarin, head of Hamas’s Martyrs and Prisoners’ Affairs Office, confirmed that the movement has fulfilled its responsibilities and will announce the names once all procedures are complete.

According to a Hamas official, the final negotiation sessions successfully resolved outstanding issues, including withdrawal maps, prisoner guarantees, and humanitarian aid mechanisms. The Rafah crossing is expected to reopen in both directions for medical transfers and other urgent needs. Meanwhile, a source close to Hamas revealed that Israeli hostages are being relocated to safe locations within Gaza in preparation for handover to the International Committee of the Red Cross.

On the Israeli side, government officials have indicated that the Security Cabinet will vote on the ceasefire agreement on Thursday, followed by a full government session to finalize the decision. Reports suggest that the release of hostages could occur as early as Sunday or Monday. Israel’s army has already begun partial withdrawal from Gaza City while maintaining forces in key areas to ensure stability during the process. Three divisions have reportedly started redeploying around Khan Younis, and preparations for a phased withdrawal are underway.

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has instructed troops to maintain defensive deployments along Gaza’s borders to prevent renewed clashes. The IDF confirmed that operational preparations and combat protocols are in progress as part of the transition to adjusted deployment lines.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced via social media that Israel and Hamas have agreed to the “first phase” of his 20-point plan to end the ongoing conflict, including the release of Israeli hostages and certain Palestinian prisoners. Trump is reportedly planning to visit Israel to follow up on the agreement’s implementation.

The current escalation began on October 7, 2023, when a large-scale Hamas attack in southern Israel resulted in over 1,200 fatalities and 250 hostages. Israel’s military response led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with more than 67,000 Palestinians reported killed and nearly 170,000 injured. According to UN estimates, approximately 80 percent of Gaza’s infrastructure has been destroyed, displacing nearly two million residents.

As both sides move toward implementing the ceasefire, the international community is closely monitoring the situation, hoping for lasting peace and relief for the millions affected by the conflict.