What we know about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal, how the hostages will be freed

Hamas and Israel reached a ceasefire and hostage release deal Wednesday following more than 15 months of bloodshed in Gaza, according to a senior U.S. official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive diplomatic discussions.

What does the proposed ceasefire deal entail?

-The first phase would involve 33 living hostages being released over a 42-day ceasefire, in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, according to US officials, speaking before the deal was announced.

-An Israeli official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss negotiations, said Tuesday that the captives released in the first stage would be children, women, injured people and those 50 and older.

-The Israeli official said that in a second stage, other remaining hostages and Israeli soldiers being held captive by Hamas would be released. According to The Washington Post’s tracker, Israel estimates there are 60 living hostages remaining in Gaza.

-Israel would agree to allow hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians who have fled Israel’s bombardment in the south of Gaza to return to their homes in the north as long as unspecified security measures are in place.

The Israeli official said Tuesday that Israel intends to maintain a buffer zone in Gaza.

-The extent of the Israeli military’s continued presence in the Netzarim Corridor, an east-west passage dividing the enclave, remained unclear.

-The existing plan is for three hostages to be the first released, a process that will take at least 48 to 72 hours and maybe longer to arrange even after a deal is agreed, said a senior US official Wednesday, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the sensitive negotiations.

Other hostages in the group of 33 to be released during the initial six-week ceasefire are to be released in groups - the size and composition of which are among the final details still being worked out, the senior US official said.

What happens next?

Hamas and Israel have been engaged for more than a year in negotiations, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States.

Sticking points included how many and which hostages will be released and when, the number of Palestinian prisoners to be released, and how many Israeli troops will remain in Gaza - for how long and where.

Miki Zohar, Israel’s minister of culture, called on government ministers to vote Thursday in favour of the deal - a step required to formalize it on the Israeli side.

“Together with my colleagues, we will vote tomorrow at the government meeting on the deal led by Prime Minister (Benjamin) Netanyahu with President(-elect Donald) Trump to secure the release of our brothers and sisters languishing in the hands of the despicable Hamas,” he said.

The process of arranging to release hostages could take days, a senior U.S. official said.

Following a pattern established in a hostage release in late 2023, the International Committee of the Red Cross will probably escort the hostages from an agreed assembly point along a secured route, the U.S. official said. But the captives first have to be gathered and brought to that point, and the route established and cleared.

Gerry Shih and Lior Soroka contributed to this report.

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