From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Leak of purported ceasefire terms show 2 hostages held for past decade to be released in first phase, gradual IDF withdrawal from key routes
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
A leaked document with some of the purported terms of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been published by Palestinian media.
According to the document, entitled Appendix I, Israeli forces will withdraw from the densely populated areas in the Gaza Strip, including the Netzarim Corridor, and deploy to a 700-meter-long perimeter on the Gaza border. There will be an exception of five positions where the IDF will be allowed to deploy troops by an additional 400 meters inside Gaza, meaning up to just over a kilometer.
Regarding the exchange of hostages for Palestinian prisoners, the document details that the nine sick and wounded hostages from the list of 33 in the first stage will be released in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners who are serving life sentences.
Israel will also release 1,000 Palestinian prisoners detained in the Gaza Strip since October 8, 2023, who were not involved in the events of the October 7 onslaught, the document says.
For the elderly male hostages from the list of 33, the document says they will be released in exchange for three Palestinian prisoners with life sentences and another 27 prisoners without life sentences.
Hostages Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed, who have been held in Gaza since 2014 and 2015, will be released in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners in addition to 47 Palestinians released in the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner sway deal and re-arrested, according to the document.
Some of the Palestinian prisoners will be exiled abroad and some will be released to Gaza, according to a list agreed upon between the sides, it says.
Regarding the Philadelphi Corridor, the Gaza-Egypt border, the document says Israeli troops will gradually withdraw during the first stage according to maps agreed upon between the sides.
After the release of the last of the 33 hostages on day 42 of the ceasefire — the end of the first stage — IDF troops will need to begin to complete their withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor, at the latest on day 50 — during the second stage.
Regarding the Rafah Border Crossing with Egypt, the document says that the terminal will be open for civilians and wounded to leave Gaza for abroad after the release of all the female hostages in the first phase.
Israeli troops will redeploy around the crossing by maps agreed upon between the sides.
A total of 50 Hamas operatives will be allowed to leave Gaza via the crossing each day, but each will be required to obtain approval from both Israel and Egypt.
Regarding the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza, the document says that on the seventh day of the deal, Gazans will be allowed to return on foot to north Gaza while unarmed, but without any inspection, via the coastal road.
On day 22, displaced unarmed Palestinians will be allowed to return to north Gaza via the Salah a-Din road, also without inspection.
Also on day seven of the ceasefire, vehicles will be allowed to return to north Gaza, but they will be required to undergo an inspection by a private company which will be determined by the mediators and Israel.
The document does not include all the terms of the ceasefire.
