Ceasefire Agreement Between Israel and Hamas Phases of Implementation and Gaza Reconstruction

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas represents a pivotal moment following over a year of stagnation in negotiations. These discussions gained momentum as the tenure of U.S. President Joe Biden nears its conclusion. On Wednesday evening, an agreement outlining a three-phase plan was finalized, set to commence with a truce starting Sunday.

The second phase focuses on the release of the remaining hostages. President Biden emphasized that this stage should lead to a definitive end to the war. This phase includes freeing the last hostages, notably men and soldiers, in exchange for an equal number of Palestinian prisoners. According to the Israeli army, out of 251 people abducted on October 7, 2023, 94 remain held in Gaza, with 34 confirmed dead. An Israeli official warned that Israel would not withdraw from Gaza until all hostages, whether alive or deceased, are returned.

The fate of foreign hostages remains unresolved. Reports indicate that Israel prioritized the release of Israeli citizens during negotiations. However, Israeli negotiators demanded the release of all remaining hostages, including foreign nationals. These include eight Thai citizens, one Nepali, and one Tanzanian.

President Biden clarified that this phase would involve the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has shown reluctance to take this step. The specifics of this withdrawal depend on the continuation of negotiations, which are expected to resume 16 days after the first phase begins. Biden acknowledged that there are still details to be resolved regarding the transition from the first to the second phase. He noted that if the first phase extends beyond six weeks, further discussions will be necessary. To ensure proper implementation, Qatar's Prime Minister announced the establishment of a monitoring mechanism based in Cairo, managed by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.

The third and final phase will focus on rebuilding Gaza and returning the bodies of deceased hostages. Gaza, already suffering from years of blockade, poverty, and unemployment, has emerged from the war in a state of devastation. According to the United Nations, rebuilding the region, where more than half of the infrastructure has been destroyed, will take up to 15 years and cost over 50 billion euros. Critical infrastructure, especially the water distribution network, has been severely damaged. Humanitarian organizations have emphasized the urgent need to address health, housing, water access, and food security challenges as part of the reconstruction process.