After 465 days, Israel's war on Gaza has ended
The war on Gaza is finally over, with the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel coming into force on Sunday, January 19, at 9.30am Doha time.
The deal, brokered by Qatar, Egypt and USA comes into force after 15 months of devastating war that has left Gaza — home to 2.3 million Palestinians — in complete ruins.
Now that the war is over, the attention will shift to the ceasefire deal, which will be implemented in three phases and over three months, starting today.
It will see a surge in humanitarian aid, gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The deal also outlines plans for post-war reconstruction efforts in the Palestinian enclave, where more than 60% of buildings have been destroyed and damaged in the nonstop Israeli bombardment since October 7, 2023.
The most recent skirmishes began when Hamas fighters stormed into southern Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing 253 hostages, by Israeli tallies.
Israel has since then militarily pounded Gaza, killing more than 45,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health authorities. Nearly the entire population of 2.3 million people in the enclave have been displaced from their homes, and much of the territory has been laid to waste.
The Gaza war is the bloodiest episode yet in a conflict between Israelis and Palestinians that has rumbled on for more than 75 years.
Here is a look at how the latest ceasefire deal will be implemented over the coming days.
January 19 (Day 1)
The truce came into effect at 8.30am today.
Hamas will release three living female captives in exchange for 95 Palestinians in Israeli jails, mostly women and children. The exchange will begin after 5pm Doha time.
Though Hamas are yet to name the captives who will be released today, the release itself will be facilitated by the Red Cross.
Israeli troops will also start to pull back from Gaza’s population centres. In the first six weeks, Israeli troops will pull back to a buffer zone about a kilometre wide inside Gaza along its borders with Israel.
Israel will also ease its blockade on Gaza, allowing in 600 trucks carrying humanitarian supplies. The UN and aid agencies say supply trucks are ready at the border.
January 25 (Day 7)
Internally displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to northern Gaza without inspection via Al Rashid Street.
Cars and non-pedestrian traffic will be allowed to return north of the Netzarim Corridor, after vehicle inspection performed by a mutually-decided private company.
February 3 (Day 16)
No later than day 16 after the start of the ceasefire, the two parties have agreed to start negotiating the second phase.
February 9 (Day 22)
On day 22, civilians will be allowed to return north, from both Al Rashid Street and Salah Al Din Street, without inspection.
March 1 (Day 42)
March 1 marks the end of phase one. By this date, 33 Israeli captives should have been released in exchange for 100 Palestinian prisoners.
It will also mark the start of Phase Two, which includes the release of the remaining captives (believed to number 65). In exchange, Israel is committed to withdraw from Gaza and respect a permanent ceasefire. Up to 94 Israeli captives, dead or alive, will be freed in exchange for more than 1,000 Palestinians.
Israeli forces will also begin their withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates Gaza from Egypt.
March 9 (Day 50)
By this date, Israel should have completed the full withdrawal of its forces from the Philadelphi Corridor.
April 12 (Day 84)
The Third Phase, though unclear at this point of time, should begin on April 12. Should the conditions of the second stage be met, this is when bodies of the remaining captives should be handed over in return for a three to five-year reconstruction plan to be carried out under international supervision.
There is currently no agreement over who will administer Gaza beyond the ceasefire. The US has pressed for a reformed version of the Palestinian Authority to do so.
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