JERUSALEM — In a significant development early Saturday, Israel’s Cabinet endorsed a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has been raging for 15 months, and facilitating the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas. This move marks an important step toward ending the most intense and destructive violence witnessed in this protracted dispute.
The announcement came shortly after 1 a.m. local time, with the government confirming the ceasefire will commence on Sunday. The Cabinet meeting lasted well beyond the onset of the Jewish Sabbath, underscoring the critical nature of the decision. Typically, the Israeli government suspends all business during the Sabbath, except in dire emergencies.
The ceasefire agreement was initially publicized by mediators from Qatar and the United States on Wednesday. However, it faced delays as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited last-minute complications, attributing these to Hamas. Following a recommendation from a smaller security Cabinet, the deal was ultimately approved on Friday.
There are still several unresolved issues surrounding the ceasefire, which is the second declared during this ongoing conflict. Questions remain about the identities and conditions of the 33 hostages who are slated to be released during the initial six weeks of this ceasefire.
Netanyahu has tasked a special group with preparing for the return of the hostages. Among the 33, there will be women, children, and individuals over the age of 50, as well as those who are sick or injured. Hamas plans to release three female hostages on the first day of the ceasefire, followed by four on the seventh day and the remaining 26 over the ensuing five weeks.
In conjunction, a number of Palestinian detainees will also be freed. Israel’s Justice Ministry has released a list of 95 individuals to be liberated in the first phase, all of whom are either younger than 18 or female. The commencement of these releases is scheduled for no earlier than 4 p.m. local time on Sunday.
Unlike the previous ceasefire, Israel’s Prison Services will manage the transportation of prisoners, rather than relying on the International Committee of the Red Cross. This decision appears aimed at mitigating any public celebrations regarding the releases. The detainees have been accused of various offenses, including incitement, vandalism, and supporting terrorism.
The ceasefire is also expected to enable a significant increase in humanitarian aid to the ravaged Gaza Strip. Many trucks filled with aid supplies were seen lining up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing leading into Gaza.
An official from Egypt confirmed that a military delegation from Israel, including members of the Shin Bet security agency, traveled to Cairo on Friday to negotiate the reopening of the border crossing. This was also confirmed by an unnamed Israeli official who discussed the negotiations privately.
During the initial ceasefire phase, Israeli troops are anticipated to withdraw from various areas in Gaza, permitting hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their residences, albeit the return will still be restricted in certain regions near military operations or the border.
“I hope for happier times come Sunday, God willing,” expressed Ekhlas al-Kafarna, one of many residents displaced in Gaza, while awaiting the Cabinet decision.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military has cautioned that while forces will be pulling back, residents cannot return to any areas occupied by troops, and any threats against Israeli forces will be met with a robust response.
The roots of the current conflict can be traced back to Hamas’s attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 individuals and the abduction of around 250 others, with nearly 100 hostages still believed to be held in Gaza.
In retaliation, Israel launched a fierce offensive, which local health officials claim has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians, though their reporting does not differentiate between militants and civilians, estimating that women and children comprise over half the casualties.
As fighting persisted into Friday, Gaza’s Health Ministry reported an additional 88 bodies had been received by hospitals within the previous 24 hours. Historically, both sides have intensified military activities in the lead-up to ceasefires as a demonstration of strength.
Negotiations for a ceasefire have faced numerous delays in recent months. However, there has been heightened pressure from the Biden administration and President-elect Donald Trump for both Israel and Hamas to reach a resolution prior to Trump assuming office on Monday.
The second and more complex phase of the ceasefire is intended to be negotiated concurrently with the initial phase. This will involve discussions regarding the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers.
Hamas has made it clear it will not proceed with the liberation of remaining captives without an enduring ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, whereas Israel has vowed to continue its operations until Hamas is dismantled and will retain broad security oversight in the region.
Long-term prospects for Gaza following the conflict remain uncertain, particularly regarding future governance and the considerable task of rebuilding the territory.
This ongoing conflict has not only destabilized the Middle East but has also sparked global protests, while intensifying political divisions within Israel. Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners have voiced strong opposition to the ceasefire.
On Thursday, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s national security minister, threatened to resign should the ceasefire be approved, reiterating this stance on social media the following day. Despite this, there are no immediate indications as of Saturday morning that he has followed through on his resignation.
Although Ben-Gvir’s departure may not topple the government or derail the ceasefire agreement, it could inject volatility into the ruling coalition at a most precarious time, which might ultimately lead to its unraveling if other key allies of Netanyahu follow suit.
