Israeli Security Cabinet
The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving a ceasefire and hostage return deal for Gaza, with a final decision expected during a full cabinet meeting on Friday afternoon.
The agreement, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu anticipates will take effect on Sunday, aims to bring an end to the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces.
This ceasefire, if successful, could halt the heavy fighting that has devastated Gaza, caused the deaths of over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents.
The proposed deal involves a phased process, with the first stage including the release of 33 Israeli hostages by Hamas, along with Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli prisons.
The number of Palestinian prisoners to be released will depend on the hostages’ release, potentially ranging from 990 to 1,650 individuals.
Hamas has reportedly resolved any obstacles concerning the terms of the ceasefire agreement, and Israel’s acceptance of the deal will depend on the cabinet’s approval.
Despite the ceasefire deal’s potential, hardliners in Netanyahu’s coalition have expressed strong opposition. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if the deal proceeds, criticizing it as a capitulation to Hamas, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich similarly voiced discontent.
Nonetheless, a majority of cabinet members are expected to support the agreement, which could bring a temporary halt to hostilities in Gaza and ease tensions in the broader Middle East, where the conflict has spilled over into other regions.
Meanwhile, in Gaza, Israeli airstrikes continued even after the deal was announced, causing further casualties, including women and children.
According to reports, at least 101 Palestinians had been killed since the deal’s announcement, with strikes hitting displaced people’s tents. In the midst of the destruction, a humanitarian crisis looms, with Gaza’s population facing severe shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter.
As the deal progresses, the hostages’ families are calling for swift action, hoping for the quick return of their loved ones.
The ceasefire agreement also includes provisions for a surge in humanitarian aid, which could increase daily shipments of supplies to Gaza by more than tenfold, providing critical relief to those affected by the conflict.
This ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, represents a potential turning point in the ongoing war, offering both a glimmer of hope for peace and the promise of aid for Gaza’s suffering population.
