Fighting in Gaza will stop first, then aid will be provided, says Qatar

Qatar confirmed that fighting in Gaza will cease first, with humanitarian aid to follow immediately after. “The priority is to stop the bloodshed,” a senior Qatari official said. 

Hamas leadership, speaking from undisclosed locations, acknowledged that Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza in stages as part of the broader agreement. This phased withdrawal is expected to coincide with the restoration of civil governance and the deployment of international support teams.

Turkish officials revealed plans to establish a joint international force tasked with overseeing security and supporting the rebuilding process in Gaza.

The joint force will reportedly include participation from Turkey, Egypt, Qatar, the United States, and Israel—a rare alignment of countries that have often had opposing stances in previous conflicts. Diplomats say the force will be responsible for ensuring a secure environment for aid delivery, reconstruction, and the return of displaced civilians.

A formal ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is now set to take effect following its approval by the Israeli cabinet, signaling a significant step toward de-escalation in Gaza after months of conflict.

According to Israeli media, the ceasefire could begin immediately, although an official from the prime minister’s office clarified that implementation would start within 24 hours of the cabinet’s decision.

As part of the first phase of the agreement—based on a three-stage withdrawal plan shared by the White House—Israeli forces will pull back to lines that leave them in control of roughly 53% of the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military confirmed preparations are underway to “transition to adjusted deployment lines soon.”

The ceasefire initiates a 72-hour countdown during which Hamas must release all 20 surviving Israeli hostages. The return of the bodies of 28 deceased hostages is also part of the deal, though the timeline for this remains uncertain.

In exchange of  Palestinian prisoners swap, Israel will release around 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza, according to a Palestinia source.

While the full list of those to be freed has not been disclosed, Hamas previously submitted names that included high-profile prisoners. However, Israel confirmed that Marwan Barghouti—one of the most prominent Palestinian political figures imprisoned in Israel—will not be part of the exchange.

Additionally, Israel is expected to return the bodies of 15 Gazans for every deceased Israeli hostage, in line with the broader framework of the deal, which has been associated with a plan promoted by US President Donald Trump.

The agreement also opens the door for large-scale humanitarian aid. Hundreds of trucks carrying essential supplies are set to enter Gaza daily, addressing a famine declared by UN-backed experts in August. Trump’s plan envisioned 600 trucks per day, though Palestinian officials say the initial number will be at least 400, with a gradual increase.

To ensure the ceasefire holds, a multinational force of around 200 troops—led by the US but with no American boots on the ground—will monitor compliance. The force is expected to include personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE. Their mission will be to observe and prevent any violations or incursions into Gaza.