The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire in Gaza, following a security cabinet endorsement. The ceasefire will begin on Sunday, with plans to release 33 hostages held by Hamas over six weeks, starting with three Israeli women. In return, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be freed, and Israeli forces will withdraw from key areas. Ongoing negotiations will address remaining hostages, while aid delivery and the reopening of the Rafah border crossing are also under discussion.
Israel Government Approves Ceasefire in Gaza
Following the endorsement from the security cabinet, the Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement concerning the Gaza Strip. Anticipation is building as the initial hostages are expected to be released starting Sunday. However, the long-term stability of this agreement remains uncertain.
Details of the Ceasefire Agreement
As announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office late Saturday, the Israeli cabinet’s approval marks a significant step towards peace. Despite opposition from certain far-right factions, a majority within the government supported the deal, enabling it to proceed.
The ceasefire is set to commence on Sunday at 12:15 PM (11:15 AM CET), with a commitment to release 33 hostages held by Hamas and other groups over a six-week period. The first three Israeli women are scheduled to be returned on Sunday evening, under the supervision of the Red Cross along with Egyptian and Qatari teams.
In exchange for the hostages, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be released from Israeli detention, alongside a planned withdrawal of Israeli forces from significant areas of the Gaza Strip. While last-minute issues regarding the list of Palestinian prisoners caused some concern, they have reportedly been resolved.
Negotiations are expected to continue regarding the remaining hostages during the ceasefire. However, Hamas has made it clear that further releases will depend on a lasting ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli troops, while Israel has expressed its commitment to dismantling Hamas and maintaining security over Gaza indefinitely.
In addition to the hostage situation, ongoing discussions between Egypt, Qatar, and the USA have focused on the logistics for implementing the ceasefire agreement, which will allow for the daily delivery of aid supplies into Gaza. Talks regarding the reopening of the Rafah border crossing, a vital link between Gaza and Egypt, have also been confirmed.
As the situation evolves, residents in Gaza are hopeful for an end to the violence, but experts remain skeptical about the durability of the ceasefire. Only time will reveal the true impact of this agreement.