JERUSALEM — On Friday evening, Israel’s entire Cabinet gathered to discuss a ceasefire agreement concerning the ongoing conflict in Gaza. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that a deal had been established, which aims to halt the 15-month war with Hamas and facilitate the release of numerous hostages.
Earlier in the day, the security Cabinet had recommended approval of the ceasefire, with the full Cabinet anticipated to endorse the deal that could take effect as early as Sunday. Nonetheless, the agreement faces strong objections from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, raising concerns about potential instability within his government.
The Cabinet’s meeting extended well beyond the start of the Jewish Sabbath, an unusual occurrence that underscores the significance of the current situation. Typically, under Jewish law, the Israeli government suspends all activities for the Sabbath unless there are urgent matters related to life and death.
Both Israel and Hamas have come under increasing pressure from U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration and President-elect Donald Trump to finalize a deal prior to Trump’s inauguration on Monday. While mediators from Qatar and the U.S. had declared a ceasefire on Wednesday, the agreement appeared to be in jeopardy as Netanyahu cited last-minute issues attributed to Hamas.
Despite the circumstances, Hamas asserted its commitment to the ceasefire, while families of hostages in Gaza expressed their anxieties about the situation. Activist Ester Taranto commented at a gathering of hostages’ families and supporters in Tel Aviv that “Now we have reached the moment of no return, and we are all crossing our fingers.”
The current conflict was ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas executed a cross-border attack on Israel, resulting in around 1,200 casualties and approximately 250 individuals held captive, with nearly 100 remaining unaccounted for.
In retaliation, Israel has conducted a series of military operations that have reportedly resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian fatalities, although local health officials do not specify the distinction between civilians and militants, noting that women and children account for over half of those killed.
The ongoing conflict has destabilized the region and incited protests globally. Fighting persisted into Friday, with Gaza’s Health Ministry reporting that 88 bodies had been admitted to hospitals over the past 24 hours. Historical patterns indicate that both sides often escalate military actions in the moments leading to a ceasefire as a demonstration of strength.
The framework of the ceasefire consists of three phases, with 33 hostages anticipated to be released over six weeks in exchange for Palestinian individuals detained by Israel. This group includes women, children, men over the age of 50, and those who are sick or injured. According to the agreement, Hamas will release three female hostages on the first day, four more on the seventh day, with the remaining 26 to be freed over the following five weeks.
Netanyahu has tasked a special unit with preparing to receive the released individuals and has informed their families of the agreement reached. The justice ministry of Israel disclosed a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners slated for release during the initial phase of the deal, emphasizing that the release will occur only after 4 p.m. local time on Sunday. All individuals named on the list are either young or female.
As Israeli forces plan to withdraw from various regions in Gaza, it is anticipated that hundreds of thousands of Palestinians may return to what is left of their homes, along with an expected influx of humanitarian aid. However, Israel’s military has declared that residents will not be allowed to return to areas where Israeli troops remain stationed or near the border, and any potential threats to its forces will be met with a strong response.
The remaining hostages, which include male soldiers, will be released in a subsequent and more challenging phase that will be negotiated concurrently with the initial one.
Hamas has stated that it will not secure the release of the remaining captives without a long-lasting ceasefire and complete Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has insisted that it will continue military actions until Hamas is dismantled and will maintain long-term security oversight over the territory.
Discussions about Gaza’s post-war governance and reconstruction loom larger, with many questions still unanswered regarding who will assume control of the region.
An Egyptian official confirmed that a delegation from Israel’s military and the internal security agency, Shin Bet, arrived in Cairo on Friday to discuss reopening the Rafah crossing, a vital link between the Gaza Strip and Egypt, with an Israeli official also confirming the delegation’s visit.
The announcement of potential objections to the ceasefire by Israeli officials is evident, as national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened resignation if the ceasefire is approved. He reiterated this stance via social media, stating, “If the ‘deal’ passes, we will leave the government with a heavy heart.” While his resignation would not necessarily collapse the government or the ceasefire, it could introduce instability at a critical time and potentially lead to future challenges if Ben-Gvir is joined by other supportive allies of Netanyahu.
