Israel Security Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Agreement
New Delhi: Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a ceasefire and hostage release agreement for the Gaza conflict on Friday, recommending that the government give its final green light to the deal, according to an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
“After reviewing all political, security, and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed agreement supports the achievement of the war’s objectives, the Security Cabinet has recommended that the government approve the proposed framework,” the statement from Netanyahu’s office read.
The agreement will now go to the full Cabinet for final approval. Despite facing intense opposition from the far-right coalition partners of Netanyahu, the ceasefire is expected to be approved, potentially starting as early as Sunday. These developments and Netanyahu’s objections may create instability in his government.
Earlier, Qatar and the United States had announced a ceasefire on Wednesday, but the agreement had remained in limbo for more than a day due to Netanyahu’s comments blaming Hamas for the last-minute errors. Although Gaza residents and families of the hostages expressed their commitment to the agreement, they were anxiously awaiting to see whether it would materialize.
Israel’s security cabinet has just approved the Gaza ceasefire deal, paving the way for fighting to stop on Sunday and captives on both sides to be freed. Israeli journalist @gideonle and Palestinian analyst @MouinRabbani respond and lay out what comes next. pic.twitter.com/tY8cv3Parc
— Democracy Now! (@democracynow) January 17, 2025
Three-Phase Agreement
Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare for the reception of returning hostages from Gaza, with their families informed about the agreement. If accepted, the ceasefire could begin on Sunday, and the first hostages might be released. Under the terms of the agreement, around 33 hostages out of approximately 100 remaining in Gaza would be released in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian detainees, over a six-week period.
The agreement, if finalized, would see Israeli forces withdrawing from several areas, enabling millions of Palestinians to return to their homes. In the second and more difficult phase, male soldiers and other remaining hostages would be released, with ongoing negotiations on the details.
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