Overview

• The signed first phase frames a near-term exchange of about 20 living hostages for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including around 250 serving life sentences, with releases expected within roughly 72 hours of implementation.
• The Israel Defense Forces said it is preparing to receive returning hostages and to adjust deployments in Gaza, stating it is ready for all scenarios as it begins planning for troop redeployments.
• Gaza Civil Defense reported Israeli strikes after the deal’s announcement, and officials said the cease-fire start time would be announced later with releases tied to on-the-ground security conditions.
• Humanitarian provisions are included, with Hamas citing plans for an initial surge of aid deliveries such as 400 trucks per day, while Egyptian Red Crescent sources reported 153 trucks moving toward Gaza.
• U.S., Qatari, Egyptian and Turkish mediators shepherded the deal; Hamas seeks guarantees the war will end and has not agreed to disarm, and Israel said jailed leader Marwan Barghouthi is not on the prisoner list.