In a significant development early Saturday, Israel’s Cabinet endorsed a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, which would secure the release of numerous hostages and temporarily halt the 15-month conflict with Hamas. This marks a potential turning point in their most devastating confrontation to date.
Despite Qatar and the US announcing the ceasefire on Wednesday, the agreement faced delays due to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu citing last-minute complications with Hamas.
The second ceasefire of this war will commence Sunday, though uncertainty remains regarding the identities of the 33 hostages scheduled for release during the initial six-week phase and their survival status.
The Cabinet’s decision to meet beyond the start of the Jewish Sabbath highlighted the crucial nature of these discussions. Traditional Jewish law typically restricts government activities during Sabbath except for life-threatening emergencies.
Netanyahu has directed a specialised team to prepare for the hostages’ return from Gaza, with affected families receiving confirmation of the agreement.
The agreement includes the release of numerous Palestinian detainees and promises increased humanitarian assistance to the severely damaged Gaza region.
Israel’s justice ministry has released details of 95 Palestinian prisoners set for release in the first phase, scheduled after 4 p.m. local time Sunday, comprising only young people and women.
The Israeli Prison Services will manage prisoner transportation, replacing the International Committee of the Red Cross’s previous role, to prevent celebratory demonstrations. The listed prisoners face charges ranging from incitement to attempted murder.
Aid convoys assembled Friday at Egypt’s Rafah border crossing to Gaza. Officials from both sides, speaking anonymously, confirmed Israeli military and Shin Bet representatives arrived in Cairo to discuss border operations.
The agreement’s first phase includes Israeli forces withdrawing from various Gaza areas, allowing numerous Palestinians to return to their remaining structures.
The military stated that while forces gradually withdraw, residents cannot access areas with troop presence or near the Israel-Gaza border, warning that threats to Israeli forces will receive strong responses.
The conflict began with Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths and 250 hostages, with nearly 100 still captive.
Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian casualties, according to local health authorities, who report that women and children constitute more than half the fatalities, without distinguishing between civilians and militants.
