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In a historic move, the Benjamin Netanyahu Cabinet has approved US President Donald Trump’s peace plan for Gaza early on Friday, bringing Israel and Hamas closer to ending over two years of conflict. While the approval marks a major step toward peace, it remains uncertain whether the agreement will hold in the volatile region.
The Cabinet’s vote followed Trump’s announcement that both Israel and Hamas had agreed to implement phase one of his 20-point Gaza peace plan during discussions in Sharm-el-Sheikh, Egypt. Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump said he plans to visit West Asia soon and hopes to oversee the return of hostages “Monday or Tuesday.”
With the Cabinet’s approval, a ceasefire in Gaza is set to take effect, though the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are awaiting official instructions. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office said the ceasefire would begin within 24 hours.
After the ceasefire is in place, Israel will partially withdraw its forces, maintaining control over approximately 53% of the Gaza Strip. A 24-hour period will allow objections to be submitted to the Israeli High Court.
A multinational force of around 200 troops, under US supervision and likely including personnel from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, will monitor the ceasefire. Their role is to “observe and ensure there are no violations or incursions,” according to a senior US official. No US forces will be stationed in Gaza; instead, a Joint Control Centre will coordinate the multinational mission, led initially by Admiral Brad Cooper.
Under the peace plan, Hamas has 72 hours to release the hostages after the ceasefire takes effect. However, sources expect the release to occur sooner. Trump indicated that the hostages could return on Monday or Tuesday.
Reports suggest 20 hostages are alive, with serious concerns for two, and 28 hostages are deceased. All living hostages and remains of the deceased will be handed over to Israel without ceremony. In return, Israel will release about 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 detainees from Gaza. Additionally, Israel will exchange the bodies of 15 Gazans for each Israeli hostage.
Some details, such as the final list of prisoners, are still being finalized. High-profile Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti will not be released.
The release of hostages has been widely celebrated in Israel. Families of hostages gathered at Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, chanting “Trump for Nobel.” The Jerusalem Post ran a front-page silhouette of Trump filled with hostages’ photos with the headline “He’s bringing them home.”
Alongside the ceasefire and prisoner exchanges, hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid are expected to enter Gaza, where UN experts confirmed a famine in August. Despite the initial success, Trump’s Gaza plan is considered fragile. US officials acknowledge that the peace agreement could still face setbacks due to mutual distrust between Israel and Hamas.
Key issues remain unresolved, including Hamas disarmament, governance in Gaza, and the full scope of Israeli withdrawal. Sky News’ Adam Parsons highlighted that Trump’s plan does not clarify who will govern Gaza, the fate of Hamas’ weapons, or the specifics of reconstruction. Implementing the plan may also spark dissent within Netanyahu’s Cabinet. Far-right ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich view the peace plan as a setback for Israel.
For now, the focus is on the impending return of hostages who have been held since October 7, 2023. While many details of Gaza’s future remain uncertain, the ceasefire and prisoner exchange mark a historic step toward peace in the region.
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