Israel-Hamas ceasefire to begin after Israeli ministers approve historic peace deal
Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire with Hamas in a historic move to bring relief to the region.
The ceasefire and hostage release deal will take effect on Sunday at 8.30am local time, according to a spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry.
It comes after a 33-member cabinet deliberated for over seven hours from last night into early this morning before giving the green light, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The security cabinet recommended ratifying the agreement, saying it “supports the achievement of the objectives of the war”. Two far-right ministers voted against the ceasefire deal.
This peace agreement will see a pause to the fighting in Gaza and lead to the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.
It will also allow more humanitarian aid into the devastated region, where the UN claims thousands of Palestinians are at risk of famine.
It is reported that hundreds of air trucks carrying food, medical supplies and clothing are lined up at the Rafah border crossing in anticipation of the deal starting on Sunday.
This would mark the second ceasefire since the start of the war on October 7, 2023, when terror group Hamas infiltrated Israel, murdering over 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.
Of the 94 hostages stil being held by Hamas, 34 are presumed dead.
More than 46,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israel’s military response, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health – figure which do not distinguish between civilians and combatants.
Although Israel’s Supreme Court will still be hearing appeals by Israelis opposing freedom for any of the Palestinian prisoners set to be released, this will not interfere with the start of the ceasefire.
There are three phases in the ceasefire agreement.
The first, set to last six weeks, will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages and 735 Palestinian prisoners. Foreign hostages are also expected to be released in addition to the Israeli hostages.
Three female Israeli civilian hostages will be released on Sunday, and 95 Palestinian prisoners are expected to be released that same day.
Phase two and three of the truce will be negotiated starting from the 16th day of the ceasefire.
The second phase is expected to bring the release of the remaining hostages as well as see a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
The third will involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the bodies of any deceased hostages.
This new chapter in the conflict will bring much-needed reprieve for those suffering on both sides.
“For 469 days our loved ones have been abandoned in captivity, and now, finally, there’s hope,” said Einav Zangauker, whose 25-year-old son Matan was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz.
She added: “This agreement must be followed through to the end, to bring everyone home and end the war. Ending the war, returning everyone and returning to normalcy is in Israel’s interest.”