Israel’s cabinet has officially approved a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas, signaling a significant step toward addressing the ongoing conflict. This decision follows the approval of the agreement by Israel’s security cabinet and sets the stage for a phased process involving the release of hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The deal, expected to commence on Sunday, outlines three 42-day phases aimed at easing tensions and addressing humanitarian concerns. According to a draft agreement and statements from President Joe Biden, the first phase will see Hamas release 33 hostages, including women, children, and individuals over 50 years old. The group will begin with the release of three hostages on the first day, followed by additional releases every seven days. In return, Israel will release 30 Palestinian prisoners for each hostage returned, focusing on women, children, and older prisoners aged 50 or above.
During this initial phase, a complete ceasefire will be enforced in Gaza, allowing international aid organizations and the United Nations to provide essential humanitarian assistance and begin reconstructing Gaza’s damaged infrastructure. Efforts will focus on restoring vital services, including water, electricity, and sewage systems, to alleviate the dire conditions faced by Gaza’s displaced population.
President Biden confirmed that American hostages would be included in the initial phase, though he did not specify names or a timeline for their release. Families of the hostages in Israel have gathered in Tel Aviv, urging the government to move swiftly to finalize the agreement. Michel Illouz, whose son Guy was kidnapped during Hamas’s October 2023 attack and is believed to have died in Gaza, expressed the urgency of the situation, saying, “Our work is not done until every hostage, alive or deceased, is returned.”
The second phase of the agreement, to be negotiated during the first 42 days, will focus on releasing remaining Israeli hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli Defense Forces from Gaza. The third phase will involve exchanging the bodies of deceased hostages and prisoners and advancing reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
The deal represents a fragile step toward ending a conflict that has caused immense suffering on both sides. Since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack, which killed over 1,200 Israelis and led to approximately 100 hostages being taken into Gaza, violence has escalated. The Israel Defense Forces estimate that about a third of the hostages have already died. On the other side, the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry reports over 46,000 Palestinian deaths from Israeli airstrikes, with most of Gaza’s population displaced and living in severe conditions. Aid organizations have warned of famine, and humanitarian efforts have faced significant challenges amid ongoing violence.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza have continued, with reports of 113 Palestinians killed since the agreement was unveiled. The persistent violence underscores the fragility of the deal and the deep mistrust between the parties.
For many affected by the conflict, the agreement offers a blend of hope and apprehension. Palestinian residents of Gaza expressed cautious optimism while fearing the potential collapse of the deal. “With this hope comes real fear,” said Huda Matrabie, a Palestinian woman in Gaza. “The fear is not just of immediate danger but of the emotional toll and the constant uncertainty.”
The approval of this agreement marks a critical moment in the ongoing conflict. As the first phase unfolds, attention will focus on ensuring that the deal holds and that the subsequent phases proceed without derailment. While the agreement represents progress, its success depends on the commitment of both sides to follow through on their promises and address the broader issues at the heart of the conflict. For now, the international community watches as this fragile step toward de-escalation unfolds, hoping it can pave the way for lasting peace in a region scarred by decades of violence.
