Anadolu obtains unofficial draft document for implementing prisoner exchange agreement between Israel, Hamas

By Mohammad Sio

ISTANBUL (AA) - Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas reached an agreement Wednesday to implement a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and prisoner exchange following talks in the Qatari capital Doha.

At a press conference in Doha, Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman announced the success of mediators in reaching a cease-fire agreement in the Gaza Strip, noting that its implementation will begin this Sunday.

Bin Abdulrahman stated that the first phase of the agreement will last 42 days and include the release of 33 Israeli detainees in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.

The following is the unofficial draft document for the second stage which was obtained by Anadolu outlining the procedures and mechanisms for executing the deal, titled “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 cease-fire between the two sides.”

1. Stage two preparations:

The parties and the mediators' objective are 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 cease-fire 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.

1. 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 of (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.

1. Prisoner Exchange
2. a. The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 11 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.

1. Israel will release 1,000 Gazan detainees from 8 October 2023 that were not involved in 7 October 2023.

1. 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.

1. Ebra Mangesto and Hesham el-Sayed will be released according to an exchange key of 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.

1. A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released abroad or in Gaza based on lists agreed upon between both sides.

1. Philadelphi Corridor:

1. 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.

1. 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.

1. Rafah Border Crossing:

1. 1. 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.

b.Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.

1. 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals. Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.

1. The crossing will be operated based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.

6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:

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

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

1. The return is agreed based on the 27 May 2024 agreement section 3-a and 3-b.

1. 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 Salahudin Street as well, without inspection.

1. 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:

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