The key components of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza took effect on Sunday, concluding 15 months of conflict that resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians and heightened tensions in the Middle East.

The commencement of the ceasefire was postponed by nearly three hours after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested Hamas to submit a list of hostages scheduled for release that day. An Israeli official later confirmed that the list had been received.

While the mediators, Israel, and Hamas have not publicly disclosed the specifics of the agreement, officials familiar with the terms have outlined the following points:

•  The initial ceasefire phase will last six weeks, during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from central Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to northern Gaza.
•  The agreement stipulates that 600 truckloads of humanitarian aid will be permitted to enter Gaza daily throughout the ceasefire, with 50 of those trucks designated for fuel. Of the total, 300 trucks will be directed to the northern region, where civilian conditions are particularly dire.
• Hamas is set to release 33 Israeli hostages, which includes all women (both soldiers and civilians), children, and men aged over 50. The release will prioritize female hostages and those under 19, followed by men over 50. According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s office, three female hostages are expected to be released via the Red Cross on Sunday after 1400 GMT.
• In return, Israel will release 30 Palestinian detainees for each civilian hostage and 50 Palestinian detainees for every Israeli female soldier released by Hamas.
• Under the agreement, Hamas will notify the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) of the designated meeting point within Gaza, after which the ICRC will proceed to that location to retrieve the hostages.
• Israel is set to release all Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 who have been detained since October 7, 2023, by the conclusion of the first phase. The total number of Palestinians released will be contingent upon the number of hostages freed, potentially ranging from 990 to 1,650, encompassing men, women, and children.
• Hamas will facilitate the release of hostages over a six-week timeframe, ensuring that at least three hostages are freed each week, with the remaining 33 released by the end of this period. Living hostages will be prioritized for release, followed by the remains of deceased hostages.
• The execution of this agreement will be overseen by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
• Discussions regarding a second phase of the agreement are set to commence on the 16th day of the first phase, which is anticipated to encompass the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
• The third phase is expected to involve the return of all remaining deceased individuals and the initiation of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.