Our website has obtained Arabic and English copies of the final ceasefire agreement documents for Gaza, which are set to take effect next Sunday.
The documents outline the details of the first phase of the agreement announced by the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, on Wednesday during a press conference in Doha.
Below is the text of the agreement as per the documents obtained:
Procedures and Mechanisms for Implementing the Agreement
This agreement outlines steps for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian detainees, aimed at achieving sustainable calm and a permanent ceasefire between the two sides.
1. Preparations for the Second Phase
The goal of both parties and mediators is to finalize the implementation of the May 27, 2024 agreement for the exchange of hostages and prisoners, ensuring sustainable calm and a permanent ceasefire. All measures from the first phase will continue into the second phase as long as negotiations for its terms remain ongoing. The guarantors of this agreement will ensure the continuation of talks until an agreement is reached.
2. Withdrawal of Israeli Forces
Israeli forces will withdraw eastward from densely populated areas along Gaza’s borders, including Wadi Gaza (Netsarim axis and Kuwait Roundabout). Forces will redeploy within a 700-meter radius, except for five designated points where the distance will not exceed an additional 400 meters. These points will be determined by the Israeli side south and west of the borders, based on mutually agreed maps attached to the agreement.
3. Prisoner Exchange
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- Nine sick and injured hostages from a list of 33 will be released in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences.
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- Israel will release 1,000 detainees from Gaza who were arrested after October 8, 2023, and who were not involved in the events of October 7, 2023.
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- Senior citizens (men over 50) from the list of 33 will be released under a 3:1 ratio for life sentences and a 27:1 ratio for other sentences.
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- Avera Mengistu and Hisham Al-Sayed will be released under a 30:1 exchange ratio, along with 47 Shalit prisoners.
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- Palestinian prisoners detained abroad or in Gaza will also be released based on mutually agreed lists.
4. Salah Al-Din Corridor (Philadelphia Route)
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- Israeli forces will gradually reduce their presence in the corridor during the first phase, based on agreed maps and terms.
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- After the release of the final hostage in the first phase, Israeli forces will begin their withdrawal on the 42nd day, completing it by the 50th day.
5. Rafah Crossing
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- The Rafah Crossing will be prepared to transport civilians and the injured following the release of all women (both civilians and soldiers). Israel will ensure the crossing is operational immediately after the agreement is signed.
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- Israeli forces will redeploy around Rafah Crossing based on attached maps.
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- Up to 50 injured military personnel will be allowed to cross daily, accompanied by three individuals, all subject to Israeli and Egyptian approval.
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- The crossing will be operated in accordance with consultations held in August 2024 with Egypt.
6. Exit of Sick and Injured Civilians
All sick and injured Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross through the Rafah Crossing as stipulated in Clause 12 of the May 27, 2024 agreement.
7. Return of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Without Weapons
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- The return of IDPs will be based on the May 27, 2024 agreement, Articles 3(a) and 3(b).
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- On the 7th day, IDPs will be allowed to return northward on foot via Al-Rasheed Street without weapons or inspection. On the 22nd day, they will also be allowed to return via Salah Al-Din Street without inspection.
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- On the 7th day, vehicles will be allowed to return northward through the Netsarim axis after inspection by a private company designated by mediators in coordination with the Israeli side under agreed mechanisms.
8. Humanitarian Aid Protocol
Humanitarian aid measures outlined in the agreement will be implemented under the humanitarian protocol supervised by mediators.
Palestinian journalist Tamer Al-Mishal stated that the exchange deal and ceasefire in Gaza are expected to take effect next Sunday after three preparatory days. The first phase will begin with the release of the initial batch of prisoners, including the release of Israeli female soldiers by the Palestinian side.
The first phase includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Al-Rasheed Street (along the coast), enabling displaced persons to return to their homes, and the opening of the Rafah Crossing to evacuate injured Palestinians a week after the deal begins.
Al-Mishal, who hails from Gaza, highlighted ongoing Palestinian negotiations to discuss mechanisms for reopening the Rafah Crossing. He also referred to a proposed Palestinian administrative committee to manage Gaza after the war, as reported by “Al Jazeera Net.”
During the first phase, 33 Israeli prisoners will be released, while the Israeli side will free around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences, and approximately 1,000 arrested after October 7, 2023.
Al-Mishal stressed that Hamas and other resistance factions have conditioned the agreement on improving conditions for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, given the dire situation they have faced since the war began.
The agreement also includes forming a joint Egyptian-Qatari committee to oversee the return of displaced persons from southern Gaza to the north. The Israeli withdrawal from the Netsarim axis will occur in stages, with Israeli forces pulling back to 700 meters from Gaza’s borders.
Israeli forces will gradually reduce their presence in the Philadelphia route between Gaza and Egypt, eventually withdrawing completely in stages. However, Israel has withheld releasing names of prominent Palestinian prisoners in its custody.
Israel has agreed to open the Rafah Crossing between Gaza and Egypt seven days after implementing the first phase. A humanitarian and relief protocol, supervised by mediators, will also take effect during this stage, allowing injured Gazans to seek medical treatment abroad.
Hamas has demanded guarantees for a clear timeline for reconstructing Gaza’s infrastructure devastated by the war. On Wednesday evening, Hamas announced that its delegation had handed its approval for the ceasefire and prisoner exchange to Qatari and Egyptian mediators.
Hamas affirmed its responsible and positive approach, stating, “We are acting in the best interest of our steadfast people to end the aggression and halt the massacres against them.”
