The following is the text of the ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on January 15, 2025. Several additional annexes including maps and other details describing the parameters of the agreement have not been included in the copy of the text obtained by the Times. from Israel, the authenticity of which was confirmed by an Arab diplomat close to the negotiations.
The text below, titled Annex I, supplements the Israeli proposal for an agreement with Hamas, which was submitted on May 27, 2024 and presented publicly by US President Joe Biden on May 31, 2024. This proposal sets out a three-part agreement. phases. agreement “on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and the restoration of lasting calm”, and provides for the release of 33 Israeli hostages in a first phase. In his announcement of the deal on January 15, 2025, Biden clarified: “This is the exact framework of the deal that I proposed in May.”
Appendix I
Practical procedures and mechanisms to implement the agreement on the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners and the return to lasting calm that would lead to a permanent ceasefire between the two parties.
1. Second stage of preparations:
- The objective of the parties and mediators is to reach a final consensus to implement the agreement of May 27, 2024 on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and return to lasting calm allowing a ceasefire to be achieved. permanent feud between the parties.
- All procedures of the first stage will continue in the second stage as long as the negotiations on the conditions for the implementation of the second stage are ongoing and the guarantors of this agreement will ensure that the negotiations continue until an agreement is reached.
2. Withdrawal of Israeli forces:
- Withdrawal of Israeli forces towards the east of densely populated areas located along the borders of the Gaza Strip, notably Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout).
- Israeli forces will be deployed within a perimeter of (700) meters with an exception at 5 localized points which will not be increased by more than (400) additional meters that the Israeli side will determine, to the south and west of the border, and based on maps. agreed by both parties and which accompany the agreement.
3. Exchange of prisoners:
- The 9 sick and injured on the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment.
- Israel to release 1,000 Gaza detainees starting October 8, 2023, who were not involved on October 7, 2023
- Elderly people (men over 50) from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for an exchange key of 1:3 life sentences + 1:27 other sentences.
- Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed — will be released according to an exchange key of 1h30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.
- A certain number of Palestinian prisoners will be released abroad or in Gaza based on lists agreed between the two sides.
4. Philadelphia Corridor:
- The Israeli side will gradually reduce its forces in the corridor area during the first stage, based on the attached maps and the agreement between the two sides.
- After the last hostage release of the first stage, on the 42nd day, Israeli forces will begin their withdrawal and complete it no later than the 50th day.
5. Rafah Border Post:
- The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and the wounded after the release of all women (civilians and soldiers). Israel will work to prepare for passage as soon as the agreement is signed.
- Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah crossing according to the attached maps.
- 50 injured military personnel will be authorized to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals. Each individual passage will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.
- The crossing will be operated based on August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
6. Exit of sick and injured civilians:
- All sick and injured Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via the Rafah border crossing, in accordance with Article 12 of the May 27, 2024 agreement.
7. Return of unarmed internally displaced persons (Netzarim corridor):
- The return is agreed based on the agreement of May 27, 2024, sections 3-a and 3-b.
- On the seventh day, displaced pedestrians will be allowed to return north, without carrying weapons and without inspection via Rashid Street. On the 22nd day, they will also be allowed to return north from Salah a-Din Street, without inspection.
- On the seventh day, vehicles and all non-pedestrian traffic will be allowed to return to the north of the Netzarim corridor after a vehicle inspection which will be carried out by a private company which will be determined by the mediators in synchronization with the Israeli side, based on ‘an agreed agreement. mechanism.
8. Humanitarian aid protocol:
- Humanitarian assistance procedures under the agreement will take place subject to the agreed humanitarian protocol under the supervision of the mediators.
