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 Ceasefire Between The Two Sides

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Country/entity: Israel
Palestine
Region: Middle East and North Africa
Agreement name: 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 Ceasefire Between The Two Sides
Date: 15 Jan 2025
Agreement status: Multiparty signed/agreed
Interim arrangement: Yes
Agreement/conflict level: Interstate/intrastate conflict(s)
Arab-Israeli Conflicts (1948 - )
This conflict involves Israelis and Palestinians over territory and belonging and has long historical antecedents. The agreements post-1990 are between the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) and Israel, with some supporting inter-state agreements (i.e. between Israel and Jordan). More recently the importance of the once dominating Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO) has diminished not in the least due to the effective disappearance of its left-wing members and the loss of the popularity of their political wing, Fatah. Hamas and other Islamic groups have attained significant relevance in Fatah’s stead, with Hamas controlling the Gaza strip (from which Israel ultimately unilaterally withdrew (not coded as a peace agreement).

Geo-political implications of the conflict have been considerable across the MENA region.
Stage: Ceasefire/related
Conflict nature: Government/territory
Peace process: Israel-Palestine peace process
Parties: Israel (Government of the State of Israel). Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the agreement.

Hamas (Islamic Resistance Movement / governing authority in Gaza).
Third parties: -
Description: This document outlines practical implementation procedures for a hostage and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Palestinians, establishing mechanisms for a phased process including Israeli military withdrawal from populated areas of Gaza, release of hostages and prisoners according to specific ratios, and protocols for civilian movement and humanitarian aid. The agreement includes detailed provisions for the Philadelphi corridor, Rafah border crossing operations, and the return of internally displaced Palestinians to northern Gaza areas. All procedures are designed to support a sustainable ceasefire while negotiations continue for a permanent resolution.

Agreement document: IL_PS_250115_Practical Procedures and Mechanisms to Implement the Agreement (opens in new tab) | Download PDF
Source of document: https://www.timesofisrael.com/full-text-of-the-hostage-ceasefire-agreement-reached-between-israel-and-hamas/

Groups

Children/youth: No specific mention.
Disabled persons: No specific mention.
Elderly/age: No specific mention.
Migrant workers: No specific mention.
Racial/ethnic/national group: No specific mention.
Religious groups: No specific mention.
Indigenous people: No specific mention.
Other groups: No specific mention.
Refugees/displaced persons: Groups→Refugees/displaced persons→Substantive
7. Return of unarmed internally displaced (Netzarim Corridor):
• The return is agreed based on the 27, May 2024, agreement section 3-a and 3-b.
• 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 the Salah a-Din street as well, without inspection.
• 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.
Social class: No specific mention.

Gender

Women, girls and gender: 5. Rafah Border Crossing:
• The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and for the wounded after the release of all women (civilian and soldiers).
Men and boys: No specific mention.
LGBTI: No specific mention.
Family: No specific mention.

State definition

Nature of state (general): No specific mention.
State configuration: No specific mention.
Self determination: No specific mention.
Referendum: No specific mention.
State symbols: No specific mention.
Independence/secession: No specific mention.
Accession/unification: No specific mention.
Border delimitation: No specific mention.
Cross-border provision: 5. Rafah Border Crossing:
• 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.
• Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.
• 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals.
Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.
• The crossing will be operated based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:
• All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the 27 May 2024 agreement.

Governance

Political institutions (new or reformed): No specific mention.
Elections: No specific mention.
Electoral commission: No specific mention.
Political parties reform: No specific mention.
Civil society: No specific mention.
Traditional/religious leaders: No specific mention.
Public administration: No specific mention.
Constitution: No specific mention.

Power sharing

Political power sharing: No specific mention.
Territorial power sharing: No specific mention.
Economic power sharing: No specific mention.
Military power sharing: No specific mention.

Human rights and equality

Human rights/RoL general: No specific mention.
Bill of rights/similar: No specific mention.
Treaty incorporation: No specific mention.
Civil and political rights: No specific mention.
Socio-economic rights: No specific mention.

Rights related issues

Citizenship: No specific mention.
Democracy: No specific mention.
Detention procedures: No specific mention.
Media and communication: No specific mention.
Mobility/access: 5. Rafah Border Crossing:
• 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.
• Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.
• 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals.
Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.
• The crossing will be operated based on the August 2024 discussions with Egypt.
6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:
• All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the 27 May 2024 agreement.
7. Return of unarmed internally displaced (Netzarim Corridor):
...
• 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 the Salah a-Din street as well, without inspection.
• 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.
Protection measures: No specific mention.
Other: No specific mention.

Rights institutions

NHRI: No specific mention.
Regional or international human rights institutions: No specific mention.

Justice sector reform

Criminal justice and emergency law: No specific mention.
State of emergency provisions: No specific mention.
Judiciary and courts: No specific mention.
Prisons and detention: No specific mention.
Traditional Laws: No specific mention.

Socio-economic reconstruction

Development or socio-economic reconstruction: Socio-economic reconstruction→Development or socio-economic reconstruction→Humanitarian assistance
7. Return of unarmed internally displaced (Netzarim Corridor):
...
Humanitarian aid procedures under the agreement will be done subject to the humanitarian protocol agreed upon under the supervision of the mediators.
National economic plan: No specific mention.
Natural resources: No specific mention.
International funds: No specific mention.
Business: No specific mention.
Taxation: No specific mention.
Banks: No specific mention.

Land, property and environment

Land reform/rights: No specific mention.
Pastoralist/nomadism rights: No specific mention.
Cultural heritage: No specific mention.
Environment: No specific mention.
Water or riparian rights or access: No specific mention.

Security sector

Security Guarantees: No specific mention.
Ceasefire: No specific mention.
Police: No specific mention.
Armed forces: 2. 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 (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.
...
4. Philadelphi corridor:
• 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.
• 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.
5. Rafah Border Crossing:
...
• Israeli forces will redeploy around the Rafah Crossing according to the attached maps.
DDR: No specific mention.
Intelligence services: No specific mention.
Parastatal/rebel and opposition group forces: No specific mention.
Withdrawal of foreign forces: 2. 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).
...
4. Philadelphi corridor:
• 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.
• 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.
Corruption: No specific mention.
Crime/organised crime: No specific mention.
Drugs: No specific mention.
Terrorism: No specific mention.

Transitional justice

Transitional justice general: No specific mention.
Amnesty/pardon: No specific mention.
Courts: No specific mention.
Mechanism: No specific mention.
Prisoner release: 3. Prisoner Exchange:
• The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
• Israel will release 1,000 Gazan detainees from 8 October, 2023, that were not involved in 7 October, 2023
• 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.
• Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed will be released according to an exchange key of 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.
• A number of Palestinian prisoners will be released abroad or in Gaza based on lists agreed upon between both sides.
...
5. Rafah Border Crossing:
• The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and for the wounded after the release of all women (civilian and soldiers).
Vetting: No specific mention.
Victims: 3. Prisoner Exchange:
• The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.
...
• 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.
• Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed will be released according to an exchange key of 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.
...
5. Rafah Border Crossing:
• The Rafah crossing will be ready for the transfer of civilians and for the wounded after the release of all women (civilian and soldiers).
...
• 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals.
...
6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:
• All ill and wounded Palestinian civilians will be allowed to cross via Rafah border crossing, according to section 12 in the 27 May 2024 agreement.
Missing persons: No specific mention.
Reparations: No specific mention.
Reconciliation: No specific mention.

Implementation

UN signatory: No specific mention.
Other international signatory: No specific mention.
Referendum for agreement: No specific mention.
International mission/force/similar: No specific mention.
Enforcement mechanism: No specific mention.

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 ceasefire between the two sides

1. Stage two preparations:

• The parties and the mediators' objective is 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 ceasefire 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.

2. 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 (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.

3. Prisoner Exchange:

• The 9 ill and wounded from the list of 33 will be released in exchange for the release of 110 Palestinian prisoners with life sentences.

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

• 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.

• Avera Mengistu and Hisham al-Sayed will be released according to an exchange key of 1:30, as well as 47 Shalit prisoners.

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

4. Philadelphi corridor:

• 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.

• 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.

5. Rafah Border Crossing:

• 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.

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

• 50 wounded military individuals will be allowed to cross daily accompanied by (3) individuals.

Each individual crossing will require Israeli and Egyptian approval.

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

6. Exit of ill and wounded civilians:

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

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

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

• 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 the Salah a-Din street as well, without inspection.

• 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:

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