Israel’s government has ratified a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, clearing the way to end hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and release Israeli hostages within the following 72 hours.
The cabinet’s approval early Friday came nearly a day after mediators announced the deal, which includes a phased withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The agreement, part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s peace initiative, marks a significant step toward ending the two-year-long Gaza war.
“The government has just approved the framework for the release of all hostages — both the living and the deceased,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on X.
The war has left Israel diplomatically isolated and plunged the Middle East into turmoil, drawing in Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon while straining U.S.-Israel ties. Trump, showing growing impatience with Netanyahu, had intensified pressure for a ceasefire.
The announcement sparked celebrations across Israel and the Palestinian territories — a rare moment of relief in a conflict that has claimed over 67,000 Palestinian lives and left entire cities in ruins.
Hamas’ exiled Gaza chief Khalil Al-Hayya said he received guarantees from the United States and mediators that “the war is over.” An Israeli spokesperson confirmed the truce would take effect within 24 hours, with hostages to be released within 72 hours thereafter.
According to Israeli authorities, 20 hostages are believed alive, 26 are presumed dead, and two remain unaccounted for. Hamas has indicated that retrieving the bodies of deceased captives may take longer than freeing the living.
Once the ceasefire is implemented, humanitarian convoys carrying food, medicine, and aid will enter Gaza to assist civilians displaced by the conflict. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have been forced to live in tents after their homes and cities were destroyed during Israel’s offensive.
Despite optimism, hurdles remain. Palestinian sources revealed that the final list of prisoners to be released by Israel has not been settled, with Hamas demanding freedom for prominent detainees and hundreds of others arrested during the war. Key elements of Trump’s 20-point peace plan, including Gaza’s postwar governance and Hamas’ disarmament, are yet to be discussed.
Within Israel, Netanyahu faces internal opposition. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to withdraw support for the government if Hamas is not dismantled.
Still, the ceasefire announcement brought scenes of joy. “Thank God for the ceasefire, the end of bloodshed and killing,” said Abdul Majeed Abd Rabbo of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. “All of Gaza and the Arab world are happy.”
In Tel Aviv, Einav Zaugauker, mother of hostage Matan Zaugauker, broke down in tears at Hostages Square: “I can’t breathe. I can’t explain what I’m feeling — it’s unbelievable.”
Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza before the official start of the ceasefire, though casualties were significantly lower. Local health officials reported seven deaths in two isolated strikes on Thursday.
President Trump announced he would travel to the region on Sunday, possibly to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt. Israeli Knesset Speaker Amir Ohana invited him to address the legislature — the first such invitation to a U.S. president since 2008.
The agreement has drawn widespread support from Arab and Western nations, with analysts calling it Trump’s most significant diplomatic achievement to date. Western and Arab officials met in Paris to discuss postwar reconstruction and the creation of an international peacekeeping task force for Gaza.
The U.S. will deploy 200 troops as part of this multinational effort, joining forces from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, though no American soldiers will enter Gaza.
The ceasefire marks the potential end of a devastating conflict that began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli towns and a music festival, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
If successfully implemented, the deal could signal not only peace for Gaza but also a pivotal moment in reshaping Middle Eastern diplomacy.
