Israel’s government has officially approved a ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement, set to take effect on Sunday. The deal focuses on the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners and will temporarily halt the 15-month-long war in Gaza for six weeks.
Cabinet Finalizes the Agreement
The cabinet meeting lasted well into Saturday morning. Lawmakers agreed that the ceasefire would begin on Sunday. However, some key details remain unclear, such as the names of the 33 hostages to be released in the first phase and their current status.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the decision, stating, “The government has approved the hostage return plan.” Despite facing internal opposition, the deal was approved late on Friday. Netanyahu faced pressure from far-right members of his coalition, which could have delayed the agreement.
Approval Time Reflects the Deal’s Importance
The agreement was ratified around 1:00 a.m. local time, according to The Times of Israel. The meeting lasted six hours and extended past the beginning of the Jewish Sabbath. This is an unusual occurrence, highlighting the deal’s significance.
Meanwhile, negotiators from Egypt, Qatar, the U.S., and Israel concluded talks in Cairo. They finalized the necessary arrangements for implementing the Gaza truce. Egyptian state-linked media reported the developments. Israeli President Isaac Herzog welcomed the decision, saying, “This is a vital step on the path to upholding the basic commitment a nation has to its citizens.”
Internal Opposition Poses a Challenge
The process faced complications when Israel’s far-right Security Minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, threatened to resign if the deal was ratified. Ben-Gvir voiced concerns, saying, “Everyone knows that these terrorists will try to harm again, try to kill again.” He urged parliamentarians to vote against the agreement the next day.
Despite his objections, both Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich voted against the deal. On the other hand, other ministers supported it. David Amsalem, a minister not part of the security cabinet, also opposed the deal during the vote.
Court Challenge Expected
With the deal approved, the Israeli High Court is scheduled to hear a petition against the release of Palestinian prisoners within 24 hours. However, Israeli media report that the court is unlikely to intervene.
Details of the Hostage Exchange
The first phase of the deal will last 42 days. During this phase, Hamas will release 33 hostages, including children, women (including female soldiers), and men over 50. In exchange, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners, including approximately 100 individuals serving life sentences for violent attacks on Israelis.
The Israel Defence Force (IDF) clarified that the names of the hostages will be disclosed only after they are returned to their families.