πBringing a much-awaited halt in the 15-month-long conflict that devastated Gaza strip, Israel's Cabinet approved a deal early Saturday for a ceasefire in Gaza that would release dozens of hostages held there. The move is being seen as a crucial step towards ending the deadliest and most destructive fighting ever.
"The government has approved the hostage return plan", Netanyahu's office said, according to a report by NDTV.
The only successful ceasefire before this one occurred in November 2023, that lasted about a week. During that time, 105 hostages held by Hamasβmainly women, children, and the elderlyβwere released, while Israel freed around 240 Palestinian prisoners. This brief pause gave a glimpse of hope but did not lead to a lasting peace.
About the ceasefire deal
πWith mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, a ceasefire has been agreed upon after 15 months of bloodbath and devastation of unimaginable scale in Gaza. The ceasefire was announced on Wednesday. However, the deal was still in limbo as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group.
πConsidering the importance of the event, the Cabinet on Friday met well past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. In line with Jewish law, the Israeli government usually halts all business for the Sabbath except in emergency cases of life or death.
π₯The ceasefire, to be executed in three phases, is set to begin on Sunday. Talks between the parties, Israel and Hamas are still continuing to work out the final details as per a statement released by Benjamin Netanyahuβs office.
The first phase
π¦In the first phase, lasting six weeks, hostages and prisoners will be exchanged. Thirty-three Israeli captives, including women, children, and older civilians, taken during the October 7, attack, will be released.
πIn return, Israel will free a larger number of Palestinian prisoners, including women, children under 19, those detained after the October 7 attacks. The exact number of Palestinian prisoners to be released depends on the hostages freed during this phase.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare to receive the hostages returning from Gaza. According to the Associated Pressπ , Israel's justice ministry has already published a list of 95 Palestinians to be freed starting Sunday once approved by the government. The release will not begin before 4 pm local time Sunday.
π§As part of the deal, the Israeli military will pull back from populated areas in Gaza to the strip's edges, allowing for critical humanitarian aid to enter. This includes food, medical supplies, and essentials for the war-torn population.
The second phase
κ¦The second phase of the ceasefire agreement, set to be negotiated by the 16th day of phase one, focuses on securing a permanent end to the war. It includes the release of all remaining hostages in Gaza, including Israeli male soldiers, in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners. A key part of this phase is for the war to stop permanently and for Israeli forces to fully withdraw.
πHowever, both sides have conditions. Israel has stated that a full troop withdrawal will only occur once all hostages are returned and Hamas's military capabilities are dismantled. Meanwhile, Hamas has insisted it will not release the last hostages until Israel completely withdraws its troops.
The Third Phase
πThe third and final phase focuses on rebuilding Gaza and ensuring the return of the bodies of any remaining hostages. The reconstruction effort will be overseen by Egypt, Qatar, and the United Nations.
πThere is no clarity or agreement on who will govern Gaza after the ceasefire. While Israel has opposed any role for Hamas in the leadership, the Palestinian Authority lacks credibility among Gaza's residents, leaving the future leadership of the region uncertain.
The Israel-Hamas war in brief
πWhile Hamas triggered the war with its October 7, 2023, cross-border attack into Israel that killed some 1,200 people and left some 250 others captive, Israel in retaliation escalated the offensive to unimaginable level killing over 46,000 Palestinians. According to local health officials, women and children make up more than half the dead.
πΉFighting continued into Friday, and Gaza's Health Ministry said 88 bodies had arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours. In previous conflicts, both sides stepped up military operations in the final hours before ceasefires as a way to project strength.
