Israel’s Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire Deal and Hostage Exchange Agreement
After prolonged discussions extending into the early hours, Israel’s government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, setting the stage for it to begin this Sunday. Despite opposition from two far-right ministers, the decision was ratified, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the security cabinet had endorsed the deal, which aligns with Israel’s strategic goals in the conflict. The agreement, brokered with the help of Qatar, the United States, and Egypt, was finalized after days of negotiation.
Key Terms of the Agreement
The first phase of the deal focuses on a hostage exchange. Over the next six weeks, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages who have been held captive for 15 months, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails. The deal also includes provisions for Israeli forces to withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians to return home, and a significant influx of humanitarian aid into the territory.
Negotiations for the second phase, scheduled to begin on the 16th day, aim to release the remaining hostages, achieve a full Israeli troop withdrawal, and establish long-term peace. The third and final phase will prioritize Gaza’s reconstruction, a process expected to span years, and address the return of the remains of any hostages who may not survive.
Qatar has confirmed that the initial group of released hostages will include women, children, elderly civilians, and those with critical medical conditions. The Israeli government stated that the release process would begin with three hostages on the first day, followed by additional groups in regular intervals.
Divisions and Reactions
While the deal has sparked hope among many Israelis, it has also deepened political divisions. Some ministers, including far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, voiced strong opposition. Ben-Gvir condemned the release of prisoners serving life sentences in exchange for hostages and announced his party’s withdrawal from the governing coalition. However, he indicated he would not attempt to dissolve the government and would rejoin if the war against Hamas resumes aggressively.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also opposed the agreement, warning that his party would leave the coalition if military operations in Gaza were not resumed after the initial phase.
Meanwhile, families of the hostages remain anxious. While many welcomed the deal as a glimmer of hope after months of anguish, they expressed concerns about the potential abandonment of hostages in later phases. “This agreement must bring all our loved ones home and end the war,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son Matan was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
Gaza’s Humanitarian Crisis
The deal comes amid a dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Since the war began following Hamas’ deadly cross-border attack on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 Israelis and resulted in 251 hostages, Gaza has seen unprecedented devastation. More than 46,000 people have been killed, and nearly the entire population of 2.3 million has been displaced.
Aid organizations have struggled to deliver food, medicine, and shelter due to ongoing blockades. As part of the ceasefire, Egypt has agreed to facilitate the daily entry of 600 aid trucks into Gaza—an ambitious increase from the previous average of 43 trucks per day. Prefabricated hospitals are also being prepared to address Gaza’s crumbling healthcare system, where half of its hospitals are nonfunctional.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, violence has persisted. Over 100 Palestinians, including dozens of women and children, were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes since the agreement was first revealed. Families in Gaza, like that of Tamer Abu Shaaban, continue to mourn loved ones lost in the conflict, questioning the fragility of the truce.
Implementation Mechanisms
On Friday, Egyptian officials held discussions in Cairo to finalize the logistics of the deal. A joint operations room involving representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the US, Israel, and Palestine will oversee compliance with the terms.
With the ceasefire and initial hostages set for release on Sunday, the world watches closely to see if this agreement will provide a meaningful step toward peace or merely a temporary pause in a decades-long conflict.
