On Friday evening, Israel’s full Cabinet convened to deliberate a potential ceasefire agreement aimed at halting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The deal, if approved, could lead to a cessation of hostilities starting Sunday, coinciding with the release of numerous hostages taken by Hamas, as well as Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. This proposed ceasefire would mark the second such arrangement since the onset of conflict 15 months ago.
According to the deal’s terms, 33 hostages would be released over a six-week period in return for several hundred Palestinians currently incarcerated in Israel. Notably, the remaining hostages, which include male soldiers, will be addressed in a subsequent negotiation phase. Hamas has stipulated that any release of captives is contingent upon a more comprehensive ceasefire and a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Israel’s Justice Ministry reported that the first phase of the ceasefire would include the release of up to 95 Palestinian prisoners. The impacts of the ongoing Israeli offensive have been catastrophic, with reports indicating over 46,000 fatalities in Gaza, predominantly women and children, although the Israeli government asserts that more than 17,000 of these casualties were militants, though no evidence has been provided to back this claim.
In international reactions, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed optimism regarding the ceasefire agreement, hoping it would hold to facilitate the release of hostages and enhance humanitarian aid into Gaza. During a meeting with Iran’s Masoud Pezeshkian, he emphasized the need for the deal to contribute to resolving the broader Palestinian-Israeli conflict through internationally recognized legal frameworks, advocating for an independent Palestinian state existing peacefully alongside Israel.
The Israeli military announced preparations for a gradual withdrawal from specified areas in Gaza in light of the impending ceasefire. However, they clarified that Palestinian residents would not be permitted to return to areas that remain under military presence, particularly close to the Israeli border.
In other developments, the United States placed sanctions on Yemen Kuwait Bank for allegedly supporting the Houthi rebels, labeled as a terrorist group by the U.S. Furthermore, two Americans were detained in Lebanon on suspicions of espionage related to Hezbollah, drawing attention amid the ongoing regional tensions. The detentions occurred near a Hezbollah-controlled area and followed the suspects’ suspicious activities in the vicinity.
As the Israeli Cabinet continued discussions on the ceasefire, the Justice Ministry released the names of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release. This includes 25 male prisoners under the age of 21 and 70 women, with charges ranging from incitement to attempted murder. The Israeli Prison Services have indicated they will manage the logistics of prisoner transport, opting out of using the International Committee of the Red Cross to avoid large public celebrations.
The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approval of the ceasefire, trusting the full Cabinet will follow suit. Following initial hurdles in negotiations over a ceasefire, an optimistic tone emerged with renewed discussions on releasing hostages and enabling humanitarian access to Gaza, emphasizing the pressing need for such measures to address the humanitarian crisis affecting many displaced families in the region.
Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called for Israel to withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease its operations within Lebanon, accentuating the risk posed to regional stability. He noted that U.N. peacekeeping forces have discovered numerous weapons caches belonging to Hezbollah during ongoing surveillance efforts.
With the prospect of hostages returning to Israel, attending medical staff voiced apprehensions regarding the conditions the captives may have endured. Hospitals nationwide are readying to receive returned hostages, emphasizing the potential for severe health issues arising from long-term confinement.
Families and supporters of the hostages gathered in Tel Aviv, anxiously awaiting the return of their loved ones. Amidst the emotional atmosphere, chants of support echoed as they expressed their mixed feelings of joy and deep concern for the well-being of those still held captive.
Finally, Dr. Rik Peeperkorn from the World Health Organization articulated that failure to finalize the ceasefire deal would severely hamper humanitarian efforts, as many trucks filled with vital supplies await entry into Gaza. A successful agreement would vastly increase the volume of aid entering the territory to assist in rebuilding essential infrastructure devastated by prolonged conflict.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently announced that two French-Israeli nationals will be included among the first group of hostages to be released, reflecting ongoing international involvement in advocating for the safe return of captives amidst the complex geopolitical landscape.
