Israel’s Cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement early Saturday to halt the 15-month war with Hamas, aiming to release dozens of hostages from Gaza. The deal, mediated by Qatar and the United States, marks only the second ceasefire during the prolonged conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed the agreement after resolving last-minute complications attributed to Hamas. The ceasefire is set to commence Sunday, starting with the release of 33 hostages during a six-week first phase. However, uncertainty persists over the list of hostages and their current status.
The Cabinet convened past the Jewish Sabbath, underscoring the gravity of the situation. Netanyahu has tasked a special committee with preparing for the return of hostages, informing their families about the deal’s progress.
As part of the agreement, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian detainees, including younger prisoners and women. Israel’s Justice Ministry has published the names of 95 detainees to be freed in the initial phase, emphasizing their involvement in activities like incitement, vandalism, and terror-related charges. Unlike the first ceasefire, Israel’s Prison Services will oversee prisoner transfers to avoid celebratory displays during the process.
The deal also promises increased humanitarian aid for Gaza, with trucks already lined up at the Rafah border crossing from Egypt. Discussions between Israeli and Egyptian officials are underway regarding border reopening protocols.
Israeli forces plan to withdraw from key areas in Gaza, enabling hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their devastated homes. However, restrictions will remain in areas near Israeli troop presence or the Israel-Gaza border, with the military warning of “forceful responses” to any perceived threats.
The conflict erupted on October 7, 2023, after a Hamas cross-border assault killed approximately 1,200 Israelis and took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory campaign has claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, with women and children reportedly making up more than half the casualties.
The fragile truce is set against a backdrop of escalating violence, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting 88 fatalities in the past 24 hours. Historically, both sides have ramped up military operations in the hours leading to ceasefires.
The ceasefire represents a tentative step toward de-escalation, though the road to lasting peace remains uncertain amid widespread destruction and profound mistrust.
