LogFAQs > #984395979

AlveinFencer posted...

So how long did that ceasefire last and how long was it supposed to last?

The ceasefire was announced on 15 January and began four days later.
It had three stages.

Stage one
This officially lasted for 42 days, during which:

• Hamas released 25 living Israeli hostages and eight dead hostages
• Israel released about 1,900 Palestinian prisoners and detainees from Gaza
• Israeli forces left populated areas of Gaza
• Displaced Palestinians returned to their neighbourhoods
• Hundreds of aid lorries were allowed into Gaza each day
• Israeli troops remained in Gaza's border areas, including the southern Philadelphi Corridor, and left the Netzarim Corridor, a military zone cutting off the north of Gaza from the south

Stage two
Negotiations on the second stage were meant to begin 16 days after the start of stage one - but this did not happen. Like stage one, stage two is also meant to be completed within 42 days.
According to the ceasefire deal, under stage two:

• A permanent ceasefire will be established
• Remaining living hostages in Gaza will be exchanged for more Palestinian prisoners
• Israeli forces will make a complete withdrawal

Stage three
The final part of the agreement would see:

• The return of all remaining bodies of dead hostages
• The reconstruction of Gaza, which is expected to take years

Stage 1 ended in March 1, which is when Israel stopped all aids transports from entering Gaza.
Israel started to demand that all remaining hostages, (59 hostages, up to 24 of whom are believed to be alive and at least 35 are presumed dead) to be released before they even start talking about Stage Two, while Hamas said that they will be released once Stage Two starts.