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Hamas-Israel Hostage Release and Ceasefire Agreement

(January 16, 2025)

On January 15, 2025, Israel and Hamas agreed on a framework of a hostage release and a ceasefire to the Hamas-Israel war commenced after Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. All parties officially signed the agreement on January 16, 2025. The U.S., Egypt and Qatar mediated the framework. It presented details of a three-stage agreement between the Israeli and Palestinian sides in Gaza, aiming to secure the release of Israeli hostages and prisoners and establish a sustainable calm in the region. The first part of the framework, proposed by President Biden in May 2024, outlines 42 days for a temporary ceasefire, the phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians, and the exchange of hostages and prisoners, primarily focusing on the release of women, children, elderly, and ill individuals. Appendix I, representing the January 2025 agreed-upon terms between Hamas and Israel, provides specific details and adjustments to the initial framework, including the final exchange keys for prisoners, details on the Israeli forces’ withdrawal, and procedures for humanitarian aid and the return of displaced Palestinians. The full text of the framework is below.


General Principles for an agreement between the Israeli side and the Palestinian side in Gaza on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and restoring a sustainable calm

This framework’s purpose is the release of all civilian and military Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip whether living or not whom have been detained during all periods in exchange for a number that will be agreed upon of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons, and restoring a sustainable calm which would achieve a permanent ceasefire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, the reconstruction of Gaza, opening of the border crossings, and facilitating movement of people and transfer of goods.

The framework agreement is made of 3 stages which are interconnected, subject to the following:

The First stage (42 days):

1. Temporary cessation of military operations by both Parties and the withdrawal of Israeli forces eastwards away from densely populated areas along the borders in all areas of the Gaza strip including Gaza valley (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout) as mentioned below.

2. Temporary cessation of aerial movement (military and surveillance) in the Gaza strip for 10 hours daily, and for 12 hours daily during days where exchange of hostages and prisoners will take place.

3. Return of the internally displaced to their place of residence and the withdrawal from Gaza valley (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout):

a. On day 7 (after the release of 7 of the female hostages), Israeli forces will completely withdraw from Rasheed street eastwards to Salah ad Din street, and the complete dismantling of military sites and installations in the area, the commencement of return of internally displaced to their place of residence (without carrying arms while returning), the freedom of movement of the population in all areas of the Gaza strip, and the entry of humanitarian aid through Rashid street from day 1 without restrictions.

b. On day 22, Israeli Forces will withdraw from the central Gaza strip (especially Natsarim axis and Kuwait roundabout axis) eastwards of Salahuddin Street to an area along the border, the complete dismantling of military sites and installations the continuation of return of internally displaced to their place of residence (without carrying arms while returning) in northern Gaza strip, and the freedom movement of the population in all areas of the Gaza strip.

c. Starting from day 1, the entry of increased and adequate humanitarian aid and relief and fuel (600 trucks dally to include 50 trucks of fuel, 300 of which to the north), including fuel necessary for the operation of the power plant, trade and civilian equipment necessary to remove rubble, and the rehabilitation and operation of hospitals, medical centers and bakeries in all areas of the Gaza strip, and the continuation of the above mentioned throughout the stages of the agreement.

4. Exchange of hostages and prisoners:

During this stage, Hamas shall release 33 of the Israeli hostages (living and human remains) who are women (civilians and soldiers), children (under 19 years who are not soldiers), elderly (above 50 years) and ill and wounded civilians, in exchange for a number of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers, in according to the following:

a. Hamas will release all living Israeli civilian women and children (under 19 years who are not soldiers), in exchange of Israel releasing 30 children and women for each Israeli hostage that will be released, subject to lists to be provided by Hamas based on precedence of their imprisonment.

b. Hamas will release all living Israeli elderly (over 50 years), ill and wounded civilians, in exchange for Israel releasing 30 elderly (over 50 years), and ill prisoners (limited up to 15 years remaining time in prison) for each Israeli hostage that will be released, subject to lists to be provided by Hamas based on the precedence of their imprisonment.

c. Hamas will release all living Israeli women soldiers, in exchange of Israel releasing 50 prisoners in Israeli prisons each Israeli hostage that will be released (30 serving life sentences, 20 other sentences limited up to 15 years remaining time in prison) subject to lists to be provided by Hamas, except an agreed upon number of prisoners (at least 100) who will be discussed in Stage 2. An agreed upon number (at least 50) of prisoners with a life sentence will be released abroad or in Gaza

5. The mechanism for exchange of hostages and prisoners between the two sides during Stage 1:

a. On day 1, Hamas will release 3 Israeli civilian female hostages. On day 7, Hamas will release additional 4 Israeli civilian female hostages. Thereafter, Hamas will release 3 Israeli hostages every 7 days, beginning with women (civilians and soldiers), and all living hostages to be released before the release of human remains. During the 6t week, Hamas will release all remaining hostages included in this stage in exchange for Israel releasing the agreed number of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons, subject to lists to be provided by Hamas.

b. By day 7, Hamas will provide information on the number of Israeli hostages that will be released during this stage.

c. On week 6 (after the release of Hisam El-Sayed and Avera Mangisto who will be included in the total number of 33 hostages agreed to be released during Stage 1), the Israeli side will release 47 prisoners of the Shalit deal that were re-detained.

d. In the event that the number of living Israeli hostages to be released during this stage does not reach 33, the difference will be completed through the release of a corresponding number of human remains from the same categories for this stage. In exchange, Israel will release all women and children (under 19 years who are not militants) who were detained from the Gaza Strip after 7 October 2023 and this will be done on Week 6.

e. The exchange is connected to the adherence to the obligations in the agreement including the cessation of military operations by both sides, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, the return of internally displaced and entry of humanitarian aid.

6. The released Palestinian prisoners will be not be rearrested based on the same charges they were previously arrested on, and the Israeli side will not initiate the return of the released Palestinian prisoners to serve their remaining sentenced time. The released Palestinian prisoners will not be required to sign any document as a condition to their release

7. The keys on the exchange of hostages and prisoners in Stage 1 mentioned above shall not be considered as a basis for the exchange keys in Stage 2.

8. No later than day 16, the commencement of indirect negotiations between the two sides to agree on the conditions for implementing stage 2 of this agreement, including those relating to the keys for the exchange of hostages and prisoners (soldiers and remaining men), and this should be concluded and agreed upon before the end of week 5 of this stage.

9. The UN and its agencies and other organizations will undertake their work in providing humanitarian services in all areas of the Gaza strip, and the continuation of the above mentioned throughout the stages of the agreement.

10. The commencement of rehabilitation of the infrastructure (electricity, water, sewage, communications and roads) in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and the entry of an agreed quantity of necessary equipment for civil defense and the removal of rubble, and the continuation of the above mentioned, throughout the stages of the agreement.

11. Facilitate the entry of supplies and requirements to accommodate the internally displaced who lost their homes during the war (no less than 60 thousand temporary homes-caravans-and 200 thousand tents).

12. After all Israeli female soldiers have been released, permitting the number to be agreed upon of wounded military individuals to travel to the Rafah crossing to receive medical treatment, and the increase in the number of travelers and ill and wounded through the Rafah crossing and removal of restrictions on travel and return of movement of goods and trade.

13. Commencement of the necessary arrangements and plans for the comprehensive reconstruction of houses, civilian facilities and civilian infrastructure that was destroyed during the war, supporting those affected under the supervision of a number of countries and organizations Including Egypt, Qatar and the UN.

14. All procedures in this stage including the temporary cessation of military operations by both sides, aid and shelter effort, withdrawal of forces, etc., will continue in stage 2 so long as the negotiations on the conditions for implementing stage 2 of this agreement are ongoing. The guarantors of this agreement shall make every effort to ensure that those indirect negotiations continue until both sides are able to reach agreement on the conditions for implementing stage 2 of this agreement.

The Second stage (42 days):

15. Announce restoration of a sustainable calm (cessation of military operations and hostilities permanently) and its commencement prior to the exchange of hostages and prisoners between the two sides – all remaining Israeli hostages who are living men (civilians and soldiers) in exchange for a number of prisoners in Israeli prisons and detention centers and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza strip.

The Third stage (42 days):

16. The exchange of all human remains with the two sides after locating and identifying them.

17. The commencement of the implementation of the plan for reconstruction of the Gaza strip for the duration of 3-5 years including houses, civilian facilities and civilian infrastructure and the support of all those affected under the supervision of a number of countries and organizations including Egypt, Qatar and the UN.

18. Opening of the border crossings, facilitating movement of people and transfer of goods.

Guarantors of the Agreement:
Qatar, Egypt and US

Appendix I - Practical procedures and mechanisms to implement the agreement for the exchange of Israeli hostages and Palestinian Prisoners and the return to a sustainable calm which would achieve a permanent ceasefire between the two sides

1. Stage two preparations:

  • The parties and the mediators’ objective is to achieve a final consensus to implement the May 27, 2024, agreement on the exchange of hostages and prisoners and return to a sustainable calm which would achieve a permanent ceasefire between the parties.
  • All procedures in the first stage will continue in stage 2 so long as the negotiations of the conditions of implementing stage 2 are ongoing and the guarantors of this agreement shall work to ensure that negotiations continue until an agreement is reached.

2. Israeli forces withdrawal:

  • Withdrawal of Israeli forces eastwards from densely populated areas along the borders of the Gaza Strip, including Wadi Gaza (Netzarim axis and Kuwait roundabout).
  • The Israeli forces will be deployed in a perimeter (700) meters with an exception at 5 localized points to be increased no more than (400) additional meters that the Israeli side will determine, south and west of the border, and based on the maps agreed upon by both sides which accompany the agreement.

3. Prisoner Exchange:

  • The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
  • Israel will release 1,000 Gazan detainees from 8 October, 2023, that were not involved in 7 October, 2023
  • The elderly (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 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.
  • A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released abroad or in Gaza based on lists agreed upon between both sides.

4. Philadelphi corridor:

  • The Israeli side will gradually reduce the forces in the corridor area during stage 1 based on the accompanying maps and the agreement between both sides.
  • After the last hostage release of stage one, on day 42, the Israeli forces will begin their withdrawal and complete it no later than day 50.

5. Rafah Border Crossing:

  • The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and for the wounded after the release of all women (civilian and soldiers). Israel will work toward the readiness of the crossing as soon as the agreement is signed.
  • Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.
  • 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals. Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.
  • The crossing will be operated based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.

6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:

  • All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the 27 May 2024 agreement.

7. Return of unarmed internally displaced (Netzarim Corridor):

  • The return is agreed based on the 27, May 2024, agreement section 3-a and 3-b.
  • On day 7, the internally displaced pedestrians will be allowed to return north, without carrying arms and without inspection via Rashid street. On day 22, they will be allowed to return north from the Salah a-Din street as well, without inspection.
  • On day 7, vehicles and any non-pedestrian traffic will be allowed to return north of Netzarim corridor after vehicle inspection which will be performed by a private company which will be determined by the mediators in sync with the Israeli side, based on an agreed upon mechanism.

8. Humanitarian aid protocol:

  • Humanitarian aid procedures under the agreement will be done subject to the humanitarian protocol agreed upon under the supervision of the mediators.

Sources: Jacob Magid, “Full text of Israeli hostage release-ceasefire proposal, submitted on May 27,” Times of Israel, (July 14, 2024). 
“Text of the hostage-ceasefire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas,” Times of Israel, (January 16, 2025).