A look at the terms and tensions in the Israel-Hamas draft ceasefire deal
If the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal goes according to the current draft, then fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days, and dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed.In this first phase, Israeli troops will pull back to the edges of Gaza, and many Palestinians will be able to return to what remains of their homes as stepped-up aid flows in.The question is if the ceasefire will survive beyond that first phase.That will depend on even more negotiations meant to begin within weeks.
In those talks, Israel, Hamas, and the U.S., Egyptian and Qatari mediators will have to tackle the tough issue of how Gaza will be governed, with Israel demanding the elimination of Hamas.Without a deal within those 42 days to begin the second phase, Israel could resume its campaign in Gaza to destroy Hamas – even as dozens of hostages remain in the militants’ hands.Hamas has agreed to a draft of the ceasefire deal, two officials confirmed, but Israeli officials say details are still being worked out, meaning some terms could change, or the whole deal could even fall through.Here is a look at the plan and potential pitfalls in the draft seen by the Associated Press.During the first phase, Hamas is to release 33 hostages in exchange for the freeing of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
By the end of the phase, all living women, children, and older people held by the militants should be freed.Some 100 hostages remain captive inside Gaza, a mix of civilians and soldiers, and the military believes at least a third of them are dead.On the first official day of the ceasefire, Hamas is to free three hostages, then another four on the seventh day.After that, it will make weekly releases.Which hostages and how many Palestinians will be released is complicated.
The 33 will include women, children, and those over 50 — almost all civilians, but the deal also commits Hamas to free all living female soldiers.Hamas will release living hostages fir...