TEL AVIV, Israel — On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an agreement has been reached concerning the return of hostages from the Gaza Strip. This comes after earlier reports indicated that minor issues were delaying the finalization of a ceasefire aimed at halting 15 months of conflict.
Netanyahu stated that he would hold a meeting with his security Cabinet later that day followed by a government assembly to formalize the long-anticipated hostage deal. His statement appeared to pave the way for the approval of the accord, which would not only suspend hostilities in Gaza but also facilitate the release of numerous hostages held by militants in return for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. Additionally, the pact would enable many displaced Palestinians to return to the remnants of their homes.
In the meantime, Israeli airstrikes on Thursday resulted in at least 72 fatalities in the already devastated region. Netanyahu also revealed that he had tasked a specialized task force to prepare for the hostages’ return from Gaza, notifying their families about the progress of the agreement.
On Thursday, Israel postponed a vote regarding the ceasefire, attributing the delay to a last-minute disagreement with Hamas, which threatened the government’s assurance about implementing the deal just after U.S. President Joe Biden and the key mediator, Qatar, had confirmed its completion. Netanyahu’s office accused Hamas of violating parts of the agreement to extract further concessions. An Israeli government spokesperson indicated that Hamas’s new demands related to the positioning of Israeli troops in the Philadelphi corridor, the small strip of territory along the Egyptian border that Israeli forces took control of in May.
Hamas, however, denied these allegations, with a prominent member asserting that the group is committed to the ceasefire agreement as affirmed by the mediators. The proposed ceasefire has faced staunch opposition from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, adding pressure to his ability to maintain authority. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir undermined the agreement, threatening to exit the government if the ceasefire moved forward. No immediate response from Ben-Gvir came following Netanyahu’s announcement on Friday.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, urged both Israel and Hamas to promptly implement a ceasefire plan without delay during an exclusive interview. Egypt has acted as a significant mediator between the two factions for years and remains a key participant in ongoing ceasefire discussions.
The ceasefire deal aims to conclude the ongoing hostilities that have caused significant regional instability and provoked global protests. The conflict escalated after Hamas’s cross-border assault into Israel on October 7, 2023, that resulted in the deaths of roughly 1,200 individuals and saw another 250 taken hostage.
In retaliation, Israel launched a severe offensive that has led to over 46,000 Palestinian casualties, as reported by local health authorities. These officials do not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths, although they indicate that women and children constitute over half of the fatalities. The military campaign has devastatingly impacted large portions of Gaza, displacing about 90% of its population, which amounts to 2.3 million people. Many are now facing hunger and illness in deplorable conditions.
Netanyahu is under intense domestic pressure to return the hostages, with their families urging him to prioritize their safety above political maneuvering. However, divisions within Israel regarding the deal were glaringly evident as Ben-Gvir expressed intentions to resign, labeling the ceasefire as “reckless” that would threaten Israel’s achievements.
If Ben-Gvir’s Jewish Power party opts out of the coalition, it could diminish the coalition’s strength in the Knesset, from 68 to 62 seats—leaving Netanyahu’s government with a fragile majority. He suggested that his party would rejoin if military operations against Hamas resumed.
While Ben-Gvir’s resignation wouldn’t disband the government or halt the ceasefire, it could destabilize the leadership during a critical moment, potentially leading to further collapse if other key allies join his dissent. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also expressed strong disapproval of the agreement, demanding a commitment from Netanyahu to resume military actions against Hamas should the first phase of the ceasefire proceed.
Reports from Gaza indicated intense bombardment on Thursday, signifying a potential escalation in military activity as both sides often ramp up operations in the final hours before ceasefires. Residents anticipated increased attacks, similar to previous experiences during negotiations. The Gaza Health Ministry stated that the reported casualties from the Israeli strikes only included those brought to two hospitals in Gaza City, with actual numbers likely being higher.
Under the reached agreement, it is anticipated that 33 out of about 100 hostages remaining in Gaza will be freed over a six-week timeline in exchange for hundreds of imprisoned Palestinians. Israeli military forces would also withdraw from various zones, enabling the return of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to their homes and increasing humanitarian aid in the region.
The remaining hostages, including male soldiers, would be released in a second, more challenging phase that would be negotiated concurrently. Hamas has stated that the release of these captives is contingent on achieving a lasting ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, while Israel maintains its position to continue combat until it dismantles the group.
Questions surrounding post-war governance and reconstruction of Gaza loom large, with speculation about who will take control of the territory once peace is achieved. Israel has faced significant backlash, including criticism from allies, regarding the humanitarian impact of its military operations in Gaza, while attributing civilian casualties to Hamas’s alleged military use of civilian infrastructure.
With numerous top Hamas leaders reportedly killed amid ongoing military action, some of the group’s fighters have managed to regroup in the aftermath of Israeli troop withdrawal, raising concerns about a sustained insurgency if the conflict continues.
