Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
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Asharq Al-Awsat Reveals Details of Gaza Ceasefire Proposal

A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)
A man inspects the remains of a site that was hit by Israeli bombardment east of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on January 14, 2025 amid the ongoing war in the Palestinian territory between Israel and Hamas. (Photo by BASHAR TALEB / AFP)

The parties involved in negotiations in the Qatari capital were on Tuesday hoping to finalize a plan to end the war in the Gaza Strip and agree on a prisoner exchange between Hamas and Israel.

It is likely that the agreement would be announced on Tuesday, unless new obstacles or conditions are imposed by Israel, several sources said. The deal, if reached, is expected to take effect 48 hours after the announcement.

Hamas sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the first phase of the agreement will last 60 days. They said Israeli ground forces will gradually withdraw from the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors.

The sources familiar with the negotiations in Doha explained that the withdrawal from the Netzarim axis will be immediate. The withdrawal from the Philadelphia axis will begin gradually after 40 to 50 days from the start of the first phase.

Displaced people will be allowed to return on foot starting the seventh day of the ceasefire, without any searches. However, vehicles returning from southern Gaza to the north will be inspected using X-ray scanning equipment operated by Egyptian-Qatari companies, under the supervision and monitoring of several parties, including Israel, to prevent the transport of weapons.

The sources revealed that an agreement was reached on Monday night on a mechanism for the redeployment of Israeli forces, allowing them to remain in the border perimeter at varying distances of up to 700 meters, particularly in areas north of the Gaza Strip.

They clarified that after 40 days, the gradual withdrawal will begin from all areas of the Palestinian enclave, in preparation for negotiations concerning the second phase, during which Israeli forces will make a full withdrawal.

The Palestinian resistance will release women, children, and the elderly in exchange for the release of 1,000 prisoners from Gaza who were arrested during the current war, on the condition that they were not involved in the October 7, 2023, attack, the sources said.

They noted that in the first phase, 200 prisoners serving long sentences will also be released.

Regarding the Rafah crossing, the sources confirmed that it will be gradually reopened, allowing the passage of those who are sick and humanitarian cases out of the enclave for treatment, ensuring freedom of movement without the arrest or targeting of travelers by Israeli forces stationed at the Philadelphi corridor.



France Mediates to Respect Ceasefire Terms in Lebanon

Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approach a Lebanese army roadblock near a checkpoint in the village of Burj el-Meluk in Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on January 25, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approach a Lebanese army roadblock near a checkpoint in the village of Burj el-Meluk in Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on January 25, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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France Mediates to Respect Ceasefire Terms in Lebanon

Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approach a Lebanese army roadblock near a checkpoint in the village of Burj el-Meluk in Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on January 25, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Armored vehicles of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) approach a Lebanese army roadblock near a checkpoint in the village of Burj el-Meluk in Nabatiyeh in southern Lebanon near the border with Israel on January 25, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

French President Emmanuel Macron has engaged in diplomatic efforts to salvage the ceasefire agreement between Lebanon and Israel, which was set to proceed this Sunday following Israel’s announcement of a delayed withdrawal from South Lebanon.

The Lebanese presidency stated that Macron is conducting discussions to uphold the ceasefire and ensure the agreement’s implementation. According to a statement, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has intensified his consultations and efforts to address the escalating situation in the South and counter what were described as dangerous Israeli practices.

Macron contacted Aoun to discuss the developments and efforts to de-escalate tensions, emphasizing the importance of implementing the ceasefire agreement and taking measures to defuse the crisis. Macron affirmed, according to the Lebanese presidency, that he is “making contacts to sustain the ceasefire and complete the agreement’s implementation.”

Aoun, for his part, stressed the necessity of holding Israel accountable for fulfilling the terms of the agreement to maintain stability in the South. He highlighted Israel’s continued violations, including the destruction of villages near the southern border and the leveling of lands, actions that would hinder displaced residents from returning to their homes.

The Israeli military has warned residents of dozens of Lebanese border villages against returning until further notice. On Saturday, the Israeli army issued a map showing areas in the South, marked with dozens of villages, and cautioned residents against entering these areas.

The army’s statement on the X platform read: “Anyone moving south of this line is putting themselves in danger.” The designated area spans from Shebaa, about two kilometers east of the border, to the village of Mansouri, roughly 10 kilometers west of the border.

In contrast, the Lebanese army accused Israel of stalling its withdrawal from southern Lebanon, complicating the deployment of Lebanese forces in the area. A Saturday statement by the Lebanese army said: “Several stages have been delayed due to Israel’s stalling in its withdrawal, complicating the army’s deployment efforts. However, the army remains ready to complete its deployment as soon as the Israeli forces withdraw.”

The Lebanese army also urged residents to delay their return to the border region due to the presence of Israeli-laid landmines and unexploded ordnance. It called on citizens to act responsibly and adhere to the military’s instructions to ensure their safety.

“Military units are continuously conducting engineering surveys, clearing roads, and addressing unexploded ordnance. They are closely monitoring the operational situation, including violations of the agreement, attacks on Lebanese sovereignty, and the destruction of infrastructure, including demolitions and fires in border villages caused by Israeli forces,” the statement added.

The Lebanese army also noted that it is implementing a plan to enhance its deployment in the region south of the Litani River under a mandate from the Cabinet. This effort began as soon as the ceasefire agreement came into effect, following a phased and coordinated approach in collaboration with the five-member committee overseeing the agreement’s implementation and UNIFIL forces.