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.
