The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas, according to a report by The Times of Israel. The deal, approved by a cabinet vote of 24-8 in the early hours of Saturday, is set to take effect on Sunday.
The agreement marks the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza and involves the release of Israeli hostages held by Hamas, along with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody.
While the agreement has been ratified, opponents of the deal have the option to petition the High Court of Justice against the release of Palestinian security prisoners. However, the court is considered unlikely to intervene.
The Israeli government’s Hostages and Missing Persons Coordination Unit confirmed that families of 33 Israeli hostages have been notified of their expected release in the deal’s first phase. However, Israel has not yet received confirmation on how many of the 33 hostages are alive, though it anticipates that most are. A detailed status report on the hostages will be provided seven days into the ceasefire.
The identities of those to be released will be disclosed 24 hours before each exchange, while discussions continue on securing the release of an additional 65 hostages still held in Gaza. This includes the bodies of at least 36 individuals confirmed dead.
The ceasefire agreement was signed in Doha on Friday following mediation efforts by the United States and Qatar. Both nations announced on Wednesday that a deal had been reached to end the 15-month conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began after Hamas’ deadly October 7, 2023, attack. The attack resulted in over 1,200 civilian deaths and the abduction of more than 250 individuals, of whom approximately 100 remain in captivity.
In response to the attack, Israel launched extensive military operations targeting Hamas strongholds in the Gaza Strip. However, the offensive has faced international criticism for its significant civilian toll. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 45,000 people have been killed, half of whom are women and children.
As phase one of the agreement progresses, further negotiations will focus on the release of remaining hostages, ending the war, and initiating Gaza’s reconstruction. However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s far-right coalition allies have expressed concerns over ending the fighting. Families of the remaining hostages have also voiced fears that subsequent phases of the deal may not materialize, leaving their loved ones in captivity.
This agreement represents a critical juncture in efforts to de-escalate the long-standing conflict, with the international community closely monitoring its implementation and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
