The key points of the Israel-Gaza ceasefire deal

Investing.com -- A ceasefire agreement in Gaza is reportedly close to being finalized, as reported several media outlets earlier today, and later confirmed by the U.S. President Joe Biden. According to Reuters, the proposed deal includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages, encompassing women, children, the elderly, and the wounded. Sixteen days into the agreement, talks are scheduled to commence regarding the return of the remaining hostages, as well as the bodies of deceased individuals.

In exchange, Israel plans to release a significant number of Palestinian prisoners, estimated to be in the hundreds. However, those involved in the attack on October 7, 2023, will remain in custody. Despite the proposed agreement, Israel will not completely withdraw its troops from Gaza until all hostages are returned. Instead, a phased pullback strategy will be implemented, with forces remaining at the borders to protect Israeli towns and villages in the area.

As part of the deal, unarmed residents of North Gaza will be permitted to return, with a system in place to prevent weapons from being transported into the area. The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza is also set to reopen, allowing sick individuals to leave the enclave for treatment.

The proposed deal also includes a substantial increase in aid to the Gaza Strip, which the United Nations and other international agencies say is currently facing a severe humanitarian crisis. While Israel does permit aid into the region, there have been disagreements over the quantity allowed.

The question of who will govern Gaza post-war remains unresolved and was not included in the current proposal due to its complexity. Israel has stated it will not conclude the war with Hamas in power and has also rejected the Palestinian Authority, a Western-backed body with limited sovereignty in the occupied West Bank. While the international community insists Gaza must be governed by Palestinians, attempts to find alternatives to the main factions have been largely unsuccessful.

Discussions involving Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States are ongoing regarding a provisional administration to govern Gaza until a reformed Palestinian Authority can assume control.

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Source: Investing.com