Ceasefire in Gaza, Netanyahu: The government will approve the agreement for the release of hostages

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that an agreement has been reached for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip after previously indicating last-minute obstacles to finalizing a ceasefire that would pause the 15-month conflict.

Netanyahu announced he would convene his security cabinet later on Friday, after which the government would approve the long-awaited agreement to release the hostages. This statement appears to pave the way for Israel to approve the agreement, which includes pausing fighting in Gaza and releasing dozens of hostages held by radical fighters in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. The deal will also allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza.

The Israeli Prime Minister said he had instructed a special task force to prepare for the return of the hostages from Gaza, and their families were informed of the agreement’s conclusion.

On Thursday, Israel delayed voting on the ceasefire, blaming Hamas—a Palestinian group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union—for last-minute disagreements. Rising tensions within Netanyahu’s governing coalition also raised concerns about implementing the agreement.

On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatari mediators announced that the agreement was finalized. However, Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of rejecting parts of the deal to gain further concessions. At a press conference on Thursday, Israeli government spokesman David Mencer claimed Hamas had made new demands, including changes to Israeli troop positions in the Philadelphi Corridor, a narrow strip of land along the Egyptian border controlled by Israeli forces since May of last year.

Hamas denied these accusations, with senior official Izzat al-Rishq stating that Hamas is “committed to the ceasefire agreement made public by mediators.”

The ceasefire agreement faces strong opposition within Netanyahu’s coalition, which is essential to his hold on power. On Thursday, hardline National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to leave the government if Israel approved the ceasefire deal.

The ceasefire agreement would pause the 15-month-long conflict, which has destabilized the Middle East and sparked worldwide protests. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, killing nearly 1,200 people and capturing about 250 others. Israel responded with a devastating offensive that has killed over 46,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Details of the agreement have not been officially disclosed, but insights from officials and media reports suggest the following structure:

Phase One: A six-week ceasefire during which Israeli troops gradually withdraw from Gaza’s center. Hamas will release 33 hostages, primarily women, the elderly, and the ill, in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. Some hostages were freed in November 2023 in exchange for 240 Palestinian prisoners. Hamas still holds 94 hostages, but Israel believes only 60 remain alive.
Displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return home during the first phase, and humanitarian aid will start flowing into Hamas-controlled Gaza. Nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents were forced to leave their homes during the war.
Subsequent Phases: Further negotiations will begin on the 16th day of the agreement’s implementation. Analysts suggest this could pose the first real test to the ceasefire’s longevity. The second phase involves the release of remaining hostages and, crucially, ending the war.
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