Pause in hostilities between Israel and Hamas set to begin Sunday amid fragile deal

The first batch of prisoners, scheduled for release on Sunday at 4 p.m. local time, will initiate this process

Muslim Network TV

GAZA, Palestine (MNTV) – The Israeli cabinet has finally given formal approval to pause in hostilities with Hamas, signaling the start of a phased process aimed at de-escalating hostilities in Gaza.

However, experts have expressed skepticism, citing Israel’s obduracy and frequent shifts in negotiating terms as potential hurdles to long-term stability.

Despite these concerns, the agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, is set to begin implementation within days, raising hopes for a temporary reprieve in the conflict.

The initial phase of the agreement will span 42 days, commencing two or three days after its formal signing.

During this period, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will begin a staged withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor and other populated areas in Gaza, maintaining a buffer of approximately 700 meters from the border.

In five specified zones, the IDF presence will be reduced to 400 meters. Concurrently, the IDF will gradually decrease its presence in the Philadelphi corridor, completing a full withdrawal within the first 50 days.

One of the agreement’s key provisions includes reopening the Rafah border crossing within a week of the deal’s implementation.

Israel is expected to prepare for the immediate movement of humanitarian aid through the crossing under the supervision of mediators.

This includes critical supplies such as food, medicine, and shelter materials, addressing the severe shortages caused by the prolonged blockade and hostilities.

Following the reopening, the crossing will be accessible to civilians, beginning with the release of women prisoners held by Hamas.

Wounded and sick Palestinian civilians will also be permitted to exit through Rafah, while Hamas operatives requiring medical attention will be allowed to travel to Egyptian hospitals, subject to approval by both Israel and Egypt.

Provisions for the return of displaced Palestinians are another crucial element of the deal.

Initially, unarmed refugees will be allowed to return on foot, subject to security screenings during the first week.

Subsequently, access will be expanded to include coastal and central routes, with vehicles permitted under inspection by a private company designated by mediators.

The prisoner exchange is a cornerstone of the agreement.

Hamas has committed to releasing 33 Israeli captives, starting with women, children, and the elderly.

In return, Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 250 serving life sentences.

Nine sick or injured prisoners are to be released in exchange for the release of 110 convicted terrorists serving life sentences.

The first batch of prisoners, scheduled for release on Sunday at 4 p.m. local time, will initiate this process. Notably, those involved in the October 7 attacks are excluded from the exchange.

The Prime Minister of Qatar confirmed the phased nature of the releases, with women and children prioritized, followed by female soldiers, elderly individuals, and men classified as humanitarian cases.

Disputes and mediation challenges

Despite the agreement, several contentious issues remain unresolved.

According to Israeli newspaper Jerusalem Post, Tel Aviv’s request for oversight of the Philadelphi corridor and a permanent presence at the Rafah crossing was rejected.

The IDF will reportedly reduce its presence on the Philadelphi corridor and then withdraw from it completely over the course of the first 50 days.

Instead, Egypt will take the lead in training forces to secure the crossing. Additionally, foreign media reports suggest internal disagreements within the Israeli government over the terms of the IDF’s withdrawal.

Following the first week, unarmed refugees on foot will be permitted to return North Gaza without search via the coastal Al-Rashid street. Two weeks later, they will be permitted to return via the central Salah al-Din road.

Following the first week, refugees will be permitted to return to the North via vehicles, which will be inspected by a private company to be determined by the mediators in coordination with Israel.

 The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire.

According to Rik Peeperkorn, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, rebuilding Gaza’s health system alone will require at least $10 billion over the next five to seven years.

He described the destruction as unparalleled, with less than half of Gaza’s hospitals currently functional.

WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus welcomed the pause as a much-needed step toward addressing the humanitarian catastrophe.

He urged all parties to honor the deal, emphasizing its potential to mark the end of one of the darkest chapters in the Israeli occupation of Palestine.

The continuation of the ceasefire into its second and third phases remains uncertain, as these will be subject to negotiations set to begin on the 16th day of the deal’s implementation, according to an Israeli official. There is no assurance that the ceasefire will extend beyond the initial phase of the agreement.

While the pause in hostilities offers a glimmer of hope, experts say its durability remains uncertain. The phased implementation, coupled with persistent mistrust, poses significant challenges.

The agreement, however, provides an opportunity to address immediate humanitarian needs and create conditions for broader negotiations, and to turn the pause in hostilities into a permanent and sustainable ceasefire.