Israel’s government officially approved a ceasefire with the Palestinian militant group Hamas on Friday, paving the way for a cessation of hostilities in Gaza within the next 24 hours and the release of Israeli hostages from Gaza within 72 hours after the ceasefire comes into effect.
The Israeli cabinet endorsed the agreement early on Friday, approximately a day after mediators announced a deal to free Israeli hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners as part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the two-year conflict in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s official account in English confirmed the approval of the plan to release all hostages, both living and deceased.
The prolonged conflict has increased Israel’s international isolation and caused turmoil in the Middle East, spilling over into a regional confrontation involving Iran, Yemen, and Lebanon. It also strained the relationship between the U.S. and Israel, with Trump appearing to urge Netanyahu to finalize an agreement.
Both Israelis and Palestinians welcomed the news of the deal, marking a significant advancement in ending two years of conflict that resulted in the deaths of over 67,000 Palestinians and the return of the remaining hostages seized by Hamas in the initial deadly assaults.
In Gaza’s Deir al-Balah, the absence of drone sounds on Thursday was replaced by the sound of car horns and lively conversations among people moving about freely. Mahmoud Abdullah cautiously expressed hope about the agreement, questioning whether the era of bombings, drones, displacement, and hunger was truly over.
Hamas’s leader in Gaza, Khalil Al-Hayya, stated that he had received assurances from the U.S. and other mediators that the war had concluded.
The ceasefire is set to commence 24 hours after the government’s approval, with the release of hostages expected within 72 hours. There are 22 Israeli hostages believed to be alive in Gaza, while 26 are presumed deceased, including Hadar Goldin, whose remains are thought to be in Gaza.
The deal also involves the cessation of hostilities, partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and the exchange of all remaining hostages by Hamas for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
Despite the positive developments, challenges remain, with uncertainties surrounding the finalization of the list of Palestinian prisoners to be released and the potential role of Marwan Barghouti, a prominent Fatah leader serving multiple life sentences in Israeli custody.
The agreement aims to establish a transitional government composed of qualified Palestinians and international experts to oversee daily operations in Gaza, with Hamas excluded from any direct or indirect involvement.
As the ceasefire takes effect, efforts will continue to address unresolved issues, including the governance of Gaza post-conflict and the disarmament of Hamas, which has so far resisted Israeli demands.
The plan envisions a new oversight committee, the “Board of Peace,” chaired by Trump and including former U.K. Prime Minister Tony Blair and other world leaders. Discussions are ongoing regarding the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, as outlined in Trump’s 20-point plan.
The ceasefire agreement holds the potential to bring the conflicting parties closer to peace than previous attempts, with the commitment to facilitate aid delivery to Gaza to alleviate the suffering of civilians affected by the destruction caused by the conflict.
