Israel’s government has endorsed a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas, setting the stage for its implementation on Sunday.
Following hours of intense discussions, the deal was approved, although two far-right ministers voted against it. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the agreement supports the objectives of the ongoing war.
Qatari mediators announced that the deal would take effect at 08:30 local time (06:30 GMT) on Sunday. Under the agreement, 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza for 15 months will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners over a six-week initial phase.
During this period, Israeli forces will withdraw from heavily populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will begin returning to their homes, and hundreds of aid trucks will enter Gaza daily.
The second phase of the deal, set to begin on the 16th day, will aim to secure the release of remaining hostages, complete the Israeli troop withdrawal, and restore calm. The final phase focuses on Gaza’s reconstruction, which is expected to take years, and the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies.
Qatar confirmed that the initial release would include women, children, elderly civilians, and individuals with medical needs. Israel indicated that three hostages would be freed on the first day of the ceasefire, with additional groups released periodically.
The agreement follows Israel’s military campaign launched in response to a cross-border Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, which left 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, over 46,870 people in Gaza have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, amid widespread displacement, destruction, and shortages of essential resources.
Currently, 94 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 presumed dead, Israel says. Four others were abducted before the war, two of whom are deceased.
Ahead of the cabinet vote, Culture Minister Miki Zohar called the decision challenging but necessary to bring Israelis home. However, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir strongly opposed the release of Palestinian prisoners, labeling them “life-sentenced terrorists.” He warned of potential political repercussions but said he would rejoin the government if the war resumed with full force.
The phased structure of the deal has sparked concern among hostages’ families, who worry that their relatives might remain in captivity after the first phase.
“This agreement must be followed through to the end, bringing everyone home and ending the war,” said Einav Zangauker, whose son was abducted.
The deal was finalized early Friday following delays caused by accusations that Hamas reneged on terms, which Hamas denied.
Egypt and Qatar played pivotal roles in brokering the agreement, with a Cairo meeting establishing mechanisms for implementation. A joint operations room, involving Egyptian, Qatari, U.S., Palestinian, and Israeli representatives, was also formed.
During the ceasefire, 600 aid trucks per day are expected to enter Gaza, a significant increase from January’s average of 43 trucks daily. The World Health Organization plans to deliver prefabricated hospitals to bolster Gaza’s healthcare infrastructure, which has been severely damaged.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Gaza has seen continued violence. Hamas-run agencies reported that Israeli airstrikes killed 117 Palestinians, including 32 women and 30 children, since the agreement was disclosed. Israel said its strikes targeted 50 “terror locations” while minimizing civilian harm.
