The Gaza ceasefire agreement has been formally reached and will be implemented in three phases

According to Reuters, an official familiar with the matter said that Israel and Hamas have formally reached a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, which will take effect on January 19. The agreement outlines an initial six-week ceasefire phase, which includes arrangements for the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops from central Gaza and the return of displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza. During this phase, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women (including soldiers and civilians), children and men over the age of 50. Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 detained since October 7, 2023, before the end of the first phase, the Israeli side said. Negotiations on the second phase of the deal will begin 16 days after the start of the first phase, which is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, a permanent ceasefire and the full withdrawal of Israeli soldiers. The third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining remains and the start of reconstruction of Gaza under Egyptian, Qatari and UN supervision.