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Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Deal with Hamas

Israel’s Security Cabinet has officially sanctioned a ceasefire agreement and hostage release arrangement with Hamas, setting the stage for implementation beginning Sunday. This decision followed an intense series of discussions among government officials, concluding late into the night.

During the cabinet meeting, the agreement received a recommendation for ratification, which was articulated as supporting the broader objectives of the ongoing conflict, according to statements from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office. The deal was finalized after both the Israeli government and Hamas reached an understanding on the terms, shortly after the announcement by mediators from Qatar, the United States, and Egypt.

This agreement consists of an initial phase that will facilitate the exchange of 33 Israeli hostages, retained by Hamas for over a year, in return for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israeli jails. As part of this agreement, Israeli military forces will start withdrawing from densely populated areas in Gaza, allowing displaced residents to begin returning to their homes, and permitting hundreds of aid trucks into the region daily.

Subsequent negotiations for a second phase are expected to commence after 16 days, aiming for the full release of the remaining hostages and a complete Israeli troop withdrawal, alongside efforts to restore “sustainable calm.” The third phase envisions a long-term reconstruction plan for Gaza, an endeavor that may span several years, along with the return of the bodies of any remaining hostages.

Qatar has indicated that the first group of released hostages will include civilians and vulnerable individuals, such as women, children, and the elderly. Israel anticipates the release of three hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, with additional groups to follow at regular intervals over the ensuing six weeks.

This development comes in response to a significant escalation in hostilities that began on October 7, 2023, when a cross-border attack resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and multiple abductions. Since that time, Gaza’s Health Ministry reports that over 46,870 people have died in the ongoing conflict, with widespread displacement affecting a large proportion of the territory’s 2.3 million residents, who are currently facing severe shortages of essential resources.

Israel claims that 94 hostages are still in captivity, with 34 presumed deceased. Furthermore, four Israelis were known to have been previously abducted before the current conflict erupted, with two confirmed casualties.

Reactions from Israeli Officials

Prior to the cabinet’s vote, Culture Minister Miki Zohar emphasized the gravity of the decision but affirmed its necessity to ensure the safe return of all hostages, noting, “It’s a very hard decision, but we decided to support it because it’s very important to us to see all of our children, men and women back home.”

Conversely, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his disapproval of the agreement, characterizing the release of “life-sentenced terrorists” as unacceptable. He threatened to withdraw his party from the governing coalition in response to the approval of the deal, although he did not intend to bring down the government altogether.

The deal’s phased nature has stirred unease among the families of hostages, who worry their loved ones may be left behind after the initial stage concludes. Einav Zangauker, whose son has been in captivity for over a year, stated, “For 469 days, our loved ones have been abandoned in captivity, and now, finally, there’s hope. This agreement must be followed through to the end, to bring everyone home.”

Implementation Measures

Despite the anticipation surrounding the agreement, there have been ongoing casualties in Gaza amid Israeli airstrikes. Reports indicate over one hundred Palestinians have been killed following the announcement of the ceasefire deal, with many awaiting urgent humanitarian assistance.

As part of the implementation process, a meeting convened in Cairo on Friday aimed at establishing mechanisms for the agreement’s execution. The discussions concluded with plans for a joint operations room comprising representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the US, Palestine, and Israel to oversee compliance. There was also an agreement to facilitate the entry of 600 aid trucks per day during the ceasefire—an increase from January’s average.

While aid efforts are being organized, the immediate situation for many Palestinians remains dire, with reports of continued airstrikes and fatalities disrupting any semblance of relief. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues to escalate as international entities, including the World Health Organization, mobilize resources to support the beleaguered healthcare system and address the severe shortages faced by the population.

Source
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