Israel’s Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire, Hostage Release Deal

Israel’s government has approved the new Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, allowing it to take effect on Sunday.

The conclusion came after hours of discussions that continued late into the night. Two far-right ministers voted against the deal.

The security cabinet earlier recommended ratifying the agreement, saying it “supports the achievement of the objectives of the war”, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

It happened after the prime minister’s office and Hamas both said they had finalised the details of the agreement, two days after it was announced by mediators Qatar, the US and Egypt.

Under the deal, 33 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza after 15 months of conflict will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during the first phase lasting six weeks.

Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to begin returning to their homes and hundreds of aid lorries will be allowed into the territory each day.

Negotiations for the second phase – which should see the remaining hostages released, a full Israeli troop withdrawal and “the restoration of sustainable calm” – will start on the 16th day.

The third and final stage will involve the reconstruction of Gaza – something which could take years – and the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies.

Qatar has said the hostages to be released during the first phase will include “civilian women, female soldiers, children, the elderly, and sick and wounded civilians”.

Israel says three hostages are expected to be released on the first day of the ceasefire, with more small groups freed at regular intervals over the next six weeks.

“We hope that in the future we will be able to finish the job in Gaza,” he added.
But far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he was “horrified” by the details of the agreement, including that “life-sentenced terrorists” would be released in exchange for the hostages, and urged other ministers to join him in voting against it.

The three-phase structure has also caused division and anxiety among some of the hostages’ families. They fear their relatives will be abandoned in Gaza after the first phase is done and are urging the government to ensure the second and third phases are also implemented.

“For 469 days our loved ones have been abandoned in captivity, and now, finally, there’s hope,” said Einav Zangauker, whose 25-year-old son Matan was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz.

“This agreement must be followed through to the end, to bring everyone home and end the war. Ending the war, returning everyone and returning to normalcy is in Israel’s interest.”

In the early hours of Friday, the prime minister’s office announced that the Israeli negotiating team in Doha had finalised the agreement.

Hamas also put out a statement which said the “obstacles” that emerged in relation to the terms of the deal had been resolved at dawn.

BBC/Ejiofor Ezeifeoma