Egypt has revealed plans to facilitate the entry of 600 humanitarian aid trucks, including 50 fuel tankers, into the Gaza Strip daily as part of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. The truce, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, is scheduled to take effect on January 19 at 8:30 a.m. local time.
“There’s an agreement that 600 trucks will enter Gaza daily, 50 of which will carry fuel,” said Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry during a press conference in Cairo with his Nigerian counterpart. Shoukry emphasized the urgency of addressing northern Gaza’s acute humanitarian needs and expressed hope that half of the aid would be directed to the area.
The ceasefire marks the end of a 15-month conflict that has devastated the region, claiming the lives of 46,000 Palestinians and around 1,500 Israelis. The fighting has also triggered regional instability, including clashes in Lebanon and Yemen and missile exchanges between Israel and Iran.
Under the terms of the agreement, a 42-day truce will be implemented, with hopes of paving the way for a permanent resolution. The first phase includes the release of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for approximately 1,000 Palestinian prisoners. Israeli forces will retreat to Gaza’s border but maintain a presence within the territory during the initial stages of the truce.
The humanitarian aid initiative, which begins alongside the ceasefire, includes the distribution of 200,000 tents and 60,000 mobile homes to address the urgent needs of displaced Palestinians. Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. will oversee the implementation of the agreement through a coordination center in Cairo.
Negotiations for a second phase are set to commence on the 16th day of the truce. These discussions will focus on the release of remaining hostages, the establishment of a permanent ceasefire, and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops. Plans for a third phase, involving the exchange of remains, reconstruction efforts in Gaza, and the lifting of the blockade, are also under consideration.
This is the second ceasefire attempt during the ongoing conflict; the first, in November 2023, lasted only six days. To ensure the agreement’s success, an EU observer delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo next week to develop mechanisms for reopening the Rafah crossing, a vital lifeline for Gaza. Reports indicate that an agreement on the measures needed to implement the truce was reached in Cairo on Friday.
