The first trucks carrying aid for the Palestinian population have entered Gaza after the ceasefire began. Humanitarian aid and tankers are entering Gaza from the Rafah crossing, which has been closed since May. Israeli forces have already begun withdrawing from areas around the southern city of Rafah towards the Philadelphi corridor along the Egypt-Gaza border. Under the terms of the ceasefire agreement, Israel is expected to begin withdrawing from “urban areas” in the territory immediately. Here’s a timeline of what’s expected to happen over the next couple of months:
Phase 1
All fighting must stop for 42 days. Israeli forces are to withdraw from Gaza cities to a “buffer zone” along the Strip’s border, displaced Palestinians will be able to return home and there will be a notable increase in aid deliveries.
Sunday 19 January (day 1): Three hostages are freed and approximately 95 Palestinian detainees are released from Israeli prisons
Sunday 26 January (day 7). Release of four hostages. More Palestinians released.
Sunday 2 February (day 14). Release of four hostages, other Palestinians released, further withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Netzarim corridor, which separates Gaza City from the rest of the Strip.
Tuesday 4 February (day 16). Negotiations begin to define the details of phase 2.
Sunday 9 February (day 21). Release of three hostages along with the release of other Palestinian detainees, further withdrawal from the Netzarim corridor.
Monday 10 February (day 22). Access to the north is also permitted via the Salah al Din road which crosses Gaza for its entire length.
Sunday 16 February (day 28). Release of three more hostages and further release of prisoners.
Sunday 23 February (day 35). Three other hostages were freed, other Palestinians released.
Sunday 2 March (day 42). Release of 14 hostages, other Palestinians released. Reopening of Rafah crossing: all wounded and sick Palestinian civilians will be allowed to leave along with 50 wounded fighters per day.
Phase 2
Surviving hostages will be returned and a corresponding ratio of Palestinian prisoners will be released, along with a full Israeli withdrawal from the Strip. The Rafah crossing into Egypt will be opened to allow the sick and injured to leave.
Sunday 9 March (day 50). Completion of the Israeli withdrawal from the Philadelphia corridor.
Phase 3
It could last for years, involve the exchange of bodies of deceased hostages and Hamas members and a reconstruction plan for Gaza. Much of the international community argues that the semi-autonomous West Bank-based Palestinian Authority, which lost control of Gaza to Hamas in 2007, must return to governing the Strip, a view repeatedly rejected by Israel.