Following reports of progress in prisoner exchange talks between Israel and Hamas, a well-informed Palestinian source stated that "the negotiations hosted in Paris have made significant strides," and that "there is an agreement on the details of the first phase of the exchange and a temporary ceasefire in Gaza." The source, who requested anonymity, told the Arab World News Agency on Monday that "the negotiations have reached discussions regarding the day after the Israeli war on Gaza and the entity that will manage the sector."
The source added that "the first phase of the deal will involve the release of one Israeli civilian daily in exchange for 30 Palestinian detainees with medium and high sentences, coinciding with a suspension of all military actions," emphasizing that "the details of the second phase will be negotiated during the implementation of the first phase."
Additionally, it was clarified that "the first phase of the expected agreement includes the withdrawal of Israeli forces from within Palestinian cities in the Gaza Strip while remaining at specific agreed-upon points." However, it was confirmed that "the agreement likely does not include details for the return of residents of northern Gaza to their homes but rather an Israeli commitment to initiate the work of a UN delegation in Gaza and provide protection for it."
Regarding the third phase, it was described as "the most significant, concerning Israeli officers detained in Gaza, as well as the bodies of Israelis present in the sector, but this phase remains postponed until the second phase is reached."
Returning to the matter of the day after in Gaza and Israel's insistence on the absence of Hamas in governance, the source confirmed that "a serious discussion has begun among delegations in negotiations and mediators on this issue." He stated that "Hamas is showing cautious responsiveness to the details, but the discussion on this file is proceeding sequentially, and a practical framework has been agreed upon, including details for civilian administration in Gaza during the implementation of the first phase of the ceasefire."
Moreover, the newspaper "Yedioth Ahronoth" reported on Monday that "the Israeli war cabinet approved, last Thursday, a US request for a UN delegation to visit northern Gaza to assess the conditions and identify needs there." The newspaper pointed out that "the aim of the UN delegation's visit is to understand the needs to allow residents to return north, as per the US request."
The United States has repeatedly emphasized the necessity for "Palestinians to govern Gaza themselves after the war," but stressed "the need for reforms in the Palestinian Authority to be qualified to manage the sector." These statements come as CNN reported earlier on Monday that "Egyptian intelligence has handed over the agreed framework for the deal to Hamas during the Paris meeting." Concurrently, Israeli broadcasting authority reported that "an Israeli security delegation visited the Egyptian capital Cairo on Monday, without providing further details."
