The Israeli Cabinet is set to convene today, Friday, to vote on a proposed ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement in Gaza, aimed at ending a 15-month-long conflict that has claimed thousands of lives.
Brokered by the United States and Qatar, the agreement, scheduled to take effect on Sunday, includes a ceasefire under which Israel will release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of attempting to renegotiate terms at the last minute to extract additional concessions.
Despite this, the Cabinet is expected to deliberate and vote on the deal today.
Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir has opposed the agreement, threatening to resign from the government if it is approved.
The first phase of the agreement involves a 42-day ceasefire during which 33 hostages including children, women, the sick, and the injured will be released. Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their homes.
Hamas has assured compliance with the agreement, but Israeli forces carried out heavy bombardments on Gaza after the announcement, killing 77 people and injuring hundreds.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence in the deal, confirming the ceasefire is set to begin on Sunday as planned.
Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani announced that Palestinian prisoners will be released and humanitarian operations in affected areas will commence under the agreement.
The deal marks a significant effort to resolve the conflict that escalated following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel, which has led to widespread devastation and thousands of casualties.
