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What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal What we know about the Gaza ceasefire deal
(3 days later)
Israeli soldier Liri Albag was reunited with her family after being freed during the second phase of the hostage release Israeli soldier Liri Albag was reunited with her family after being freed during the second hostage release
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has begun after 15 months of war. A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is under way after 15 months of war.
The deal aims to bring a permanent end to the fighting and will see hostages held by Hamas in Gaza exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The deal aims to bring a permanent end to the fighting and free hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Getting to this point has taken months of painstaking indirect negotiations, and the timetable and complexity of the deal mean even a small incident could escalate and threaten to derail the ceasefire. Getting to this point took months of painstaking indirect negotiations, and the timetable and complexity of the deal mean even a small incident could escalate and threaten to derail the ceasefire.
About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.About 1,200 people were killed and 251 taken back to Gaza as hostages when Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October 2023.
This triggered a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has killed almost 47,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run health ministry says. This triggered a massive Israeli military offensive in Gaza, which has killed more than 47,000 Palestinians, the Hamas-run health ministry says.
How does the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas work?How does the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas work?
The ceasefire was announced on 15 January and began four days later, after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt. It is based on a proposal set out by former US President Joe Biden in May 2024. The deal will be carried out in three stages:The ceasefire was announced on 15 January and began four days later, after months of negotiations led by the US, Qatar and Egypt. It is based on a proposal set out by former US President Joe Biden in May 2024. The deal will be carried out in three stages:
Stage oneStage one
This will last 42 days, during which:This will last 42 days, during which:
There will be a complete ceasefireThere will be a complete ceasefire
Hamas will release a total of 33 hostages - women (including female soldiers), children, some older men and the sick - at regular intervalsHamas will release a total of 33 hostages - women (including female soldiers), children, some older men and the sick - at regular intervals
Israel will release about 1,900 Palestinian prisonersIsrael will release about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners
Israeli forces will leave populated areasIsraeli forces will leave populated areas
Displaced Palestinian civilians will be allowed to return to their neighbourhoodsDisplaced Palestinian civilians will be allowed to return to their neighbourhoods
Hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into Gaza each dayHundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into Gaza each day
Israeli troops will remain in Gaza's border areas, including the southern Philadelphi Corridor, but will leave the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone cutting off the north of Gaza Israeli troops will remain in Gaza's border areas, including the southern Philadelphi Corridor, but will leave the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone cutting off the north of Gaza from the south
Stage twoStage two
Sixteen days after the start of stage one, negotiations will begin on the second stage, during which:Sixteen days after the start of stage one, negotiations will begin on the second stage, during which:
A permanent ceasefire will be establishedA permanent ceasefire will be established
Remaining living hostages in Gaza will be exchanged for more Palestinian prisonersRemaining living hostages in Gaza will be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners
Israeli forces will make a complete withdrawalIsraeli forces will make a complete withdrawal
Stage threeStage three
The final part of the agreement will see:The final part of the agreement will see:
The return of all remaining bodies of dead hostagesThe return of all remaining bodies of dead hostages
The reconstruction of Gaza, which is expected to take yearsThe reconstruction of Gaza, which is expected to take years
How will hostages held by Hamas be released? How are hostages held by Hamas being released?
The deal includes the release of the remaining 94 hostages. Fifty-nine are assumed by Israel to be alive and 35 dead. The deal includes the release of the remaining hostages taken in October 2023, in addition to three Israelis who were abducted before the war. Israel says Hamas is holding 55 hostages who are alive and 35 who are dead.
The first three hostages - Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, who is also a British citizen - were freed on 19 January, the first day of the ceasefire. Seven female hostages - three civilians and four soldiers - have so far been freed.
The hostages were brought in a Hamas vehicle to Saraya Square in Gaza City. They were moved, amid chaotic scenes, to a Red Cross vehicle just metres away. They were released by Hamas in stage-managed events in public in Saraya Square, Gaza City, where they were handed over to the Red Cross.
They were then taken to Israeli special forces at a point inside Gaza, before returning to Israel where they were reunited with their families and taken to hospital for medical checks. The Red Cross then transferred them to Israeli forces inside Gaza, before they were driven across the border into Israel and reunited with their families. The freed hostages were then flown to hospitals for medical checks.
A week later, four female soldiers - Karina Ariev, Daniella Gilboa, Naama Levy and Liri Albag - were released by Hamas during a carefully choreographed handover in Gaza City.
The women - who are all aged between 19 and 20 - were handed over to the Red Cross before returning to Israel.
BBC Verify: What we can tell from Hamas hostage handover videoBBC Verify: What we can tell from Hamas hostage handover video
Who are the released and rescued hostages?Who are the released and rescued hostages?
How historic deal was sealed with 10 minutes to spareHow historic deal was sealed with 10 minutes to spare
Who are the Palestinian prisoners being freed by Israel?Who are the Palestinian prisoners being freed by Israel?
Around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza are due to be released in the first phase of the deal. It is not known exactly how many prisoners will be exchanged each time hostages are released.Around 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza are due to be released in the first phase of the deal. It is not known exactly how many prisoners will be exchanged each time hostages are released.
The first prisoner release saw 90 Palestinians – mostly women and some teenagers - freed in return for the three hostages. The youngest was aged 15 and had been convicted of shooting and wounding two people. Most were held over less serious offenses. They returned to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The first prisoner release saw 90 Palestinians freed, and the second 200. Those freed in the second wave included 121 who were serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. Some had been convicted by Israeli courts of multiple murders. Prisoners released in the first wave had been jailed for less serious offenses.
Many of those released in the first stage of the deal had never been charged and were detained without trial in Israeli prisons under what is called "administrative detention", a process widely criticised by human rights groups. Many of those released in the first wave, and some in the second, had never been charged and were detained without trial in Israeli prisons under what is called "administrative detention", a process widely criticised by human rights groups.
In the second release, 200 Palestinians were freed. They ranged in age from 16 to 69. The released prisoners have returned to the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, and in some cases, Gaza. Around 70 have been deported due to the gravity of their crimes.
Most returned to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, while some were transferred to Gaza. Around 70 were immediately deported due to the seriousness of their crimes.
Among the 200, 121 were serving life sentences in Israeli prisons. Some have been convicted by Israeli courts of multiple murders.
Others in the second release were also being held without charge.
Israel has insisted that no-one who was involved in the 7 October attacks will be freed.Israel has insisted that no-one who was involved in the 7 October attacks will be freed.
Prisoners will be returned to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, and some will be deportedPrisoners will be returned to the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza, and some will be deported
The prisoners are among more than 10,000 Palestinians held by Israel (not including detainees from Gaza held by the IDF) who have either been convicted, or are suspected of "security" offences. The prisoners are among more than 10,000 Palestinians held by Israel (not including detainees from Gaza held by the Israeli military) who have either been convicted, or are suspected of "security" offences.
These range from bombings and other attacks, to belonging to banned armed groups.These range from bombings and other attacks, to belonging to banned armed groups.
More than 3,000 people are reported to be held under administrative detention.More than 3,000 people are reported to be held under administrative detention.
Freed Palestinian prisoner welcomes ceasefire dealFreed Palestinian prisoner welcomes ceasefire deal
How will aid be delivered to Gaza and can people return home?How will aid be delivered to Gaza and can people return home?
Under the deal, 600 lorries of aid - 50 carrying fuel - are to be allowed into Gaza every day. This number was met or exceeded on the first three days of the ceasefire.Under the deal, 600 lorries of aid - 50 carrying fuel - are to be allowed into Gaza every day. This number was met or exceeded on the first three days of the ceasefire.
Half of them will go to the north of Gaza, where aid has been hardest to deliver and food security experts have been warning of imminent famine for months in areas that were besieged by Israeli forces. Half of the lorries will go to the north of Gaza, where aid has been hardest to deliver and food security experts have been warning of imminent famine for months in areas that were besieged by Israeli forces.
By comparison, the UN says an average of 90 lorries a day entered Gaza in December 2024.By comparison, the UN says an average of 90 lorries a day entered Gaza in December 2024.
About 500 lorries were allowed into the territory every day before the start of the war.About 500 lorries were allowed into the territory every day before the start of the war.
Gaza is home to an estimated 2.3 million Palestinians, almost all of whom have had to leave their homes as Israel has carried out continuous strikes across the territory and issued mass evacuation orders for large residential areas.Gaza is home to an estimated 2.3 million Palestinians, almost all of whom have had to leave their homes as Israel has carried out continuous strikes across the territory and issued mass evacuation orders for large residential areas.
Some have begun returning home, but in many cases there is nothing to go back to, with whole streets and neighbourhoods standing in ruin. Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have begun returning home, but in many cases there is nothing to go back to, with whole streets and neighbourhoods standing in ruin.
Some 60% to 70% of buildings are estimated to have been damaged or destroyed.Some 60% to 70% of buildings are estimated to have been damaged or destroyed.
The process is also fraught with danger, with Israeli and Hamas forces at tense standoff, risks of unexploded ordnance, and warnings from the IDF to civilians to stay clear of military positions. The process is also fraught with danger, with Israeli and Hamas forces at tense standoff, risks of unexploded ordnance, and warnings from the Israeli military to civilians to stay clear of military positions.
Hundreds of thousands of people who were forced by Israel to leave the north will only be able to go back via specific routes from the seventh day of the ceasefire, although a dispute over which hostages Hamas has released so far has delayed this. All those who were forced by Israel to leave the north are being allowed go back via specific routes, with those in vehicles required to pass through a screening process.
Rebuilding Gaza will be a monumental task. Halfway through the war, the UN estimated that at that point reconstruction could cost $40bn (£33bn) - something which is likely to take years, if not decades. Rebuilding Gaza will be a monumental task. Halfway through the war, the UN estimated that at that point reconstruction could cost $40bn (£33bn). It is something which is likely to take years, if not decades.
The human cost of the conflict will also be felt for many years to come, with tens of thousands wounded and left with complex psychological damage.The human cost of the conflict will also be felt for many years to come, with tens of thousands wounded and left with complex psychological damage.