Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet today to discuss a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which would involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The ceasefire agreement would take effect on Sunday, following approval from Israel’s cabinet.
This development comes after final details of a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal were ironed out, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The United States has expressed confidence that the truce would begin as planned this weekend. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated, “I am confident, and I fully expect that implementation will begin, as we said, on Sunday.” However, not everyone is optimistic about the deal.
At least two Israeli cabinet members have voiced opposition to the ceasefire, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir calling it “irresponsible” and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich labeling it a “dangerous deal”.
Despite the opposition, the ceasefire agreement has been welcomed by many. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani announced that an initial 42-day ceasefire would see 33 hostages released, including women, children, elderly people, and wounded individuals. Israeli forces would also withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas, allowing displaced Palestinians to return to their residences.
The war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in significant humanitarian needs. Gaza’s civil defence agency reported that Israeli strikes killed at least 80 people and wounded hundreds after the deal was announced on Wednesday.
The World Health Organization estimates that at least $10 billion would be needed over the next five to seven years to rebuild Gaza’s devastated health system alone.
The conflict has also had a profound impact on civilians. Saeed Alloush, a resident of north Gaza, expressed mixed emotions about the ceasefire deal. “We were waiting for the truce and were happy,” he said, but overnight strikes killed many of his relatives.
In Tel Aviv, pensioner Simon Patya felt “great joy” that some hostages would return alive, but also “great sorrow for those who are returning in bags”.
The ceasefire agreement followed intensified efforts from mediators Qatar, Egypt, and the United States. US President-elect Donald Trump claimed credit for the agreement, stating, “If we weren’t involved in this deal, the deal would’ve never happened.” Envoys from both the Trump team and the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden were present at the latest negotiations.
The agreement has sparked celebrations in Israel and Gaza, but also anguish. Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, warned that Israeli strikes were risking the lives of hostages due to be freed under the deal. The war was triggered by the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,210 people, mostly civilians.
Israel’s ensuing campaign has destroyed much of Gaza, killing 46,788 people, most of them civilians. The UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA welcomed the ceasefire deal, stating that “rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies” are needed to respond to the suffering caused by the war.
The international community has urged Israel and Hamas to work towards implementing the ceasefire deal. G7 leaders called the deal “a significant development” and encouraged both parties to work on its “full implementation.” Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi underscored the importance of accelerating humanitarian aid into Gaza.
