Truckloads of daily supplies, release of hostages: What are the key terms of Gaza ceasefire deal

The implementation of the agreement will be guaranteed by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has been reached, marking the beginning of what is hoped to be a pivotal de-escalation in the ongoing Gaza conflict, however, the deal has not yet been publicly announced by the mediators, Israel or Hamas, reported Reuters.

As per the Reuters report, officials have briefed on the deal provided with the following elements. The six-week truce, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, involves the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from central Gaza, enabling displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.

The agreement stipulates the entry of 600 truckloads of supplies daily, including 50 trucks carrying fuel. Half of these will be directed to northern Gaza, where civilian conditions have become increasingly difficult.

As part of the agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing 33 Israeli hostages over the six weeks. The hostages, including women, children, and men over the age of 50, will be released in stages. The first group, comprising three female hostages, is expected to be handed over to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) on Sunday after 1400 GMT, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.

The ICRC will coordinate the release, with Hamas designating the meeting points inside Gaza. The hostages will be freed gradually, with living captives prioritized, followed by the remains of those who have died in captivity.

In response, Israel will release Palestinian detainees in exchange for the hostages. The agreement specifies the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners for each civilian hostage and 50 for each Israeli female soldier released by Hamas. The first phase of the deal will see all detained Palestinian women and minors under the age of 19 freed by Israel. Depending on the number of hostages released, the total number of Palestinian detainees freed could range from 990 to 1,650.

The ceasefire implementation is being closely monitored by the mediators, who have guaranteed the adherence of both parties to the terms of the agreement.

Negotiations for a second phase are expected to begin midway through the initial six-week period. This phase is anticipated to include the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza. The subsequent phase will focus on the return of bodies and the reconstruction of Gaza, a process that will involve the oversight of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.