Gaza Ceasefire Agreement

The agreement signed at the end of the Israel-Hamas war, which escalated following Hamas’s Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on 7 October and lasted more than 15 months, was signed on 15 January 2025 in Doha, the capital of Qatar, following negotiations mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and USA. On 18 March 2025, Israel violated the agreement through renewed attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Conflict Process

Throughout War, Israel’s intensive air, land, and sea attacks in Gaza caused massive destruction. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, since 7 October 2023, Israel’s operations in Gaza have resulted in a total of 48,543 deaths and 111,981 injuries. The majority of those killed were women and children.

During this period, electricity, water, and transportation such as infrastructure systems in Gaza were completely disabled; schools and hospitals ceased operations. In ongoing cases at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Israel’s actions have been classified as genocide in historical terms. Although multiple agreements had previously been reached, Israel repeatedly withdrew from them.

Agreement Ratification Process

15 January 2025

Following negotiations aimed at ending the 15-month-long Israel-Hamas war, the parties reached an agreement on a ceasefire and mutual prisoner exchange. The agreement was reached during talks in Doha, Qatar’s capital, mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. A three-phase plan was outlined for implementing the ceasefire, and its details were publicly disclosed.

The agreement encompassed key elements such as the declaration of a ceasefire, the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, the return of displaced persons, and the reconstruction of Gaza. Nevertheless, due to Israel’s domestic political dynamics, the feasibility of implementation became a matter of concern.

16 January 2025

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu postponed the planned meeting of the narrow security cabinet intended to approve the agreement. Netanyahu accused Hamas of refusing to adhere to the compromises in the deal and raised doubts about its specifics. This situation triggered tensions within the Israeli government.

In particular, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced his intention to withdraw from the government, arguing that the agreement compromised Israel’s interests. Ben-Gvir claimed the deal favored Hamas and reversed Israel’s territorial gains in Gaza. Despite this, he declared his continued external support for the government. During this period, Israeli attacks continued in Gaza. Despite the declared ceasefire, attacks resulted in heavy losses among civilian populations in Gaza.

According to the Gaza Civil Defense Directorate, 113 people were killed and 264 injured in these attacks. Of the deceased, 28 were reported to be child and 31 were women. This situation heightened international concerns about the sustainability of the ceasefire.

17 January 2025

The delayed security cabinet meeting was held on this date, and the Israeli Security Cabinet approved the ceasefire and mutual prisoner exchange agreement. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that the process of releasing hostages would begin on 19 January Market. Hamas affirmed its commitment to the agreement and stated that obstacles to the process had been removed thanks to mediators’ efforts. Hamas declared the prisoner swap a national priority to be implemented according to established procedures.

19 January 2025

The ceasefire was formally implemented. Hamas delivered three Israeli female hostages to the International Red Cross. In return, Israel released 90 Palestinian female and child prisoners. However, Israel delayed the release process.

20 January 2025

Palestinians welcomed the released prisoners with jubilation in Ramallah. Israeli forces intervened with tear gas and sound bombs against Palestinians at the handover sites. It was reported that on this date, Israeli forces conducted raids on the homes of some Palestinian prisoners in East Jerusalem and prevented journalists from reaching event locations information.

Three-Phase Agreement

The three-phase ceasefire plan is as follows:

First Phase

Hamas will gradually release a total of 33 Israeli hostages. In return, Israel will release 50 Palestinian prisoners, 30 of whom have been sentenced to prison terms, followed by all women and children under 19 age held in detention since 7 October 2023. Israel will grant limited permission for civilians in northern Gaza to return to their homes. Efforts to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, including electricity and water networks, will commence. Up to 600 trucks of humanitarian aid and 50 trucks of fuel will be permitted daily to enter the area. Israel will allow injured Palestinians to be evacuated from Gaza for medical treatment. Israel will withdraw its military forces from the Gaza Strip so that they remain more than 700 meters away from the Israeli border. Israel will withdraw from the Netzarim Corridor and Philadelphi Corridor dividing Gaza.

Second Phase

The details of the second phase will be finalized through further negotiations conducted while the first phase remains in effect. The remaining hostages will be released mutually.

Third Phase

This phase will focus on the reconstruction of Gaza and infrastructure projects. Territorial exchanges between Israel and Palestine will be implemented.

Prisoner Exchange Rounds Under First Phase

First Round (19–20 January 2025)

Hamas delivered three Israeli female hostages to the International Red Cross Committee. In return, Israel released 90 Palestinian prisoners. The released Palestinian prisoners were received in Ramallah, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Israeli forces attempted to prevent celebrations by conducting raids on the homes of released Palestinians. The Israeli government experienced internal debates over the continuity of the prisoner exchange, with some ministers arguing that the swap would yield negative outcomes for Israel.

Second Round (20 January 2025)

Hamas released four Israeli female IDF soldiers. In return, Israel released 200 Palestinian detainees, 121 of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment. Palestinians held large joy demonstrations in Ramallah and Gaza, but Israeli security forces intervened to suppress the celebrations.

Third Round (30 January 2025)

Hamas released three Israeli hostage and five Thai civilian hostages. In return, Israel released 110 Palestinian detainees, 32 of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment. It was announced that among the released hostages were elderly and sick Israeli civilians. The reunions of Palestinian prisoners with their families were celebrated with large-scale events in West Sharia and Gaza. The Israeli army attempted to prevent celebrations by conducting raids on Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.

Fourth Round (1 February 2025)

Hamas delivered two of the three Israeli hostages it had announced it would release to the Red Cross. Israel announced it would release 90 Palestinian prisoners, 81 of whom were sentenced to long-term imprisonment. Israel delayed the release process and sought to obstruct the smooth progress of the exchange.

Fifth Round (8 February 2025)

Hamas delivered three Israeli male hostages to the International Red Cross Committee. In return, Israel released 183 Palestinian prisoners. The released Palestinian prisoners were received in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. Israeli forces intervened in the town of Beitunia with tear gas and real ammunition against Palestinians. Seven of the released Palestinian prisoners were hospitalized due to poor health conditions.

Sixth Round (15 February 2025)

Hamas delivered to the International Red Cross Committee Alexander Sasha Troufanov, a dual Israeli-Russian citizen, Sagui Dekel-Chen, a dual Israeli-American citizen, and Yair Horn. In return, Israel released 369 Palestinian prisoners, 36 of whom were sentenced to life imprisonment and 333 of whom had been detained since 7 October 2023 in the Gaza Strip. Palestinians welcomed the released prisoners with a large crowd in front of the Mahmoud Darwish Museum in Ramallah. Israeli forces attempted to suppress celebrations in Beitunia. Some of the released Palestinian prisoners were transferred to the Europe Al-Shifa Hospital in Inn Yunus due to health issues. Upon arriving in Gaza, the released Palestinian prisoners burned the David Star uniforms they had been forced to wear by Israel.

Seventh Round (22–27 February 2025)

The seventh round of the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel took place between 22 February 2025 and 27 February 2025. All six surviving Israeli male prisoners were delivered to International Red Cross teams on 22 February. Israeli nationals Tal Shoham and Avera Mengistu were handed over to the Red Cross in the Welfare city of the Gaza Strip in the morning, while Omer Shem-Tov, Eliya Cohen, and Omer Wenkert were handed over at the Nusayrat Refugee Camp in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas announced that Israel had delayed the release of Palestinian prisoners in the seventh round and violated the agreement. The 641 Palestinian prisoners expected to be released on 22 February were instead released on 27 February. With the completion of this round, all 33 Israeli prisoners designated for release under the first phase of the agreement had been delivered, and the number of freed Palestinians rose to 1,776.

Israel Defense Forces’ Withdrawal from the Netzarim Corridor

On 9 February 2025, as part of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the Israeli military withdrew from the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the Gaza Strip north to south. This withdrawal was carried out in accordance with the ceasefire agreement. The Netzarim Corridor was established by Israel during its land invasion of Gaza in 2023 and became a strategic hat dividing Gaza into northern and southern regions. To construct the corridor, the Israeli military demolished approximately 600 structures to gain control of the area. Following Israel’s withdrawal, previously displaced Palestinians began traveling between the north and south via the Netzarim Corridor on foot and by vehicle.

Hamas-Israel Prisoner Body Handover (20 February 2025)

On 20 February 2025, Hamas delivered the bodies of four Israeli prisoners killed in Israeli attacks to the International Red Cross Committee. The bodies handed over included those of Oded Lifshitz, Shiri Bibas, and their children Ariel and Kfir Bibas.

The Israeli military collected the bodies from the Red Cross and transported them to a medical center for identification. Hamas announced that the prisoners had been killed by Israeli airstrikes and publicized this during the handover with posters. Israel held Hamas responsible for the deaths of the prisoners, while Hamas argued that Israel’s intense bombardment caused their deaths. According to the agreement, Israel was expected to release a group of Palestinian prisoners on 22 February 2025 in exchange for the bodies.

Developments During the Ceasefire Process (February 2025)

Delays in the Prisoner Exchange Process

On 10 February 2025, Hamas’s military wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, announced it was suspending the prisoner exchange scheduled for 15 February, citing Israel’s failure to fulfill its commitments under the ceasefire agreement. Hamas stated that Israel had violated four core provisions of the ceasefire: delaying the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza, continuing attacks on civilians in Gaza, blocking the entry of shelter materials, and delaying the entry of medical supplies and medications. This development on prompted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to consult with security agencies. Netanyahu convened a meeting to ensure the completion of the prisoner exchange, but the uncertainty surrounding the process triggered public backlash in Israel.

Israel’s Military Preparations

Itamar Ben-Gvir, leader of the far-right Jewish Power Party in Israel, argued that the Israeli military should target everything in Gaza, including humanitarian aid. In a statement on X, Ben-Gvir called for renewed heavy attacks on Gaza after Hamas announced it was suspending the sixth Türkiye prisoner exchange scheduled for 15 February. Protests and Domestic Reactions Following Hamas’s suspension of the prisoner exchange, hundreds of people in Tel Aviv demanded that the Netanyahu government complete the prisoner exchange agreement. Protesters blocked roads in front of the Israeli Ministry of Defense. Banners reading “Bring Them All Back” were carried, and slogans such as “Netanyahu broke the agreement” were chanted. Families of the hostages demanded that the government accelerate the process and ensure the safe return of the prisoners.

International Reactions

U.S. President Donald Trump, in a statement from White House, stated that if all prisoners in Gaza were not released by Saturday noon, the ceasefire would be terminated. Trump used the phrase “Then let chaos reign.”

Current Status of Second Phase Negotiations

Second-phase negotiations for the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement in Gaza did not begin on the scheduled date. According to the agreement, second-phase talks were meant to commence 16 day after the first phase took effect, i.e., on 3 February 2025. However, the Israeli government postponed its delegation’s departure to Doha from 2 February, thereby delaying the process. Although the Israeli delegation traveled to Doha on 8 February, it was not granted authority to negotiate the second phase; it was only authorized to discuss the implementation of the first phase.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been accused of deliberately sabotaging the process due to domestic political pressure and objections from right-wing coalition partners. It was announced that Netanyahu, in coordination with U.S. President Donald Trump’s Middle East Special Representative Steve Witkoff, would convene the cabinet on 16 February to address second-phase negotiations.

Termination of the Ceasefire (18 March 2025)

On 18 March 2025, Israel broke the ceasefire and launched large-scale air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli military conducted intense bombardment targeting multiple locations from northern to southern Gaza in the early morning. Areas including Khan Yunus, Gaza City, and the Nusayrat Refugee Camp were among the primary targets, with civilian settlements, refugee tents, schools, and hospitals suffering heavy damage. As a result of these attacks, hundreds were killed and injured, triggering a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.