After days of uncertainty, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that a deal to free hostages held in Gaza has finally been reached. The deal will temporarily halt the 15-month war in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The announcement clears the way for approval, but some last-minute snags almost derailed it.
Hamas accused of last-minute demands
Netanyahu’s statement comes after a tense delay in negotiations. The Israeli government had been set to approve the ceasefire deal on Thursday, but a dispute with Hamas caused setbacks. Netanyahu’s office claimed Hamas tried to extract more concessions at the last moment. Hamas, however, denied these accusations, insisting it was still committed to the deal.
Hostages set to return
The agreement will see the return of dozens of hostages, including Israelis held by Gaza militants. In return, Israel will release a number of Palestinian prisoners. The deal is expected to allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. Netanyahu has already instructed a special taskforce to prepare for the hostages’ return.
Approval still pending
The ceasefire, however, won’t be implemented until it passes through both Israel’s security cabinet and government. Netanyahu is expected to convene the security Cabinet later today. The deal has caused a stir in Netanyahu’s coalition, particularly among his far-right partners, who oppose the ceasefire. Hard-line figures like national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir have openly threatened to quit if the ceasefire is approved.
Tensions also ran high on Thursday as Netanyahu’s government wrestled with Hamas over key issues, including Israeli troop presence in the Philadelphi corridor. The narrow strip, which borders Egypt, has been a point of contention. Hamas denied Israeli claims, stressing it was still on board with the ceasefire.
A war that began with brutality
The deal itself is a pivotal moment in a conflict that began with Hamas’s brutal attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. That assault killed over 1,200 people and took 250 hostages. Israel’s retaliatory strikes have since claimed over 46,000 Palestinian lives, with civilians, including women and children, making up a significant portion of the casualties. Entire neighborhoods in Gaza have been reduced to rubble, and almost 90% of Gaza’s population has been displaced.
As the war rages on, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians are living in squalid conditions, struggling with hunger, disease, and lack of shelter. Many are crammed into makeshift camps along Gaza’s coastline, hoping for relief.
Egypt’s role as key mediator
Egypt has played a major role in brokering the ceasefire deal. Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty urged both Israel and Hamas to implement the agreement “without delay” during an interview on Thursday. Egypt has long been a key mediator between the two sides, and its influence remains vital in the negotiations.
The future of the ceasefire deal
The deal announced earlier this week offers a glimmer of hope in a war that has destabilized the region and sparked global protests. With approval from the Israeli government still pending, the next few days could determine whether peace talks have a chance to end the bloodshed.
As tensions in Israel and Gaza continue to build, the future of this ceasefire deal remains uncertain. Netanyahu’s next move will be critical in either bringing an end to the violence or plunging the region back into chaos.
