Israeli government approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage exchange deal. The deal will take effect on Sunday. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said the security cabinet approved the deal after lengthy discussions. Two hard-right ministers objected to this. The British media reported the news.
Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the deal would help achieve the war's goals.
Israel and Hamas finalized the terms of the deal two days after mediators Qatar, the United States and Egypt announced the deal.
In the first phase, 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas will be released. In return, Israel will release hundreds of Palestinian prisoners. At that time, Israeli forces will withdraw from the densely populated areas of Gaza and displaced Palestinians will have the opportunity to return home. Hundreds of aid trucks will be allowed into Gaza every day.
The second phase will discuss the release of the remaining hostages, the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops and the establishment of a lasting peace. The third phase will involve the reconstruction of Gaza and the return of the hostages' remains.
According to Qatar, the hostages released in the first phase will include women, children, elderly and sick people.
The Israeli cabinet is divided over the deal. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gabhir called the deal 'terrible'. He said, it is not acceptable to release the prisoners sentenced to life. His party threatened to walk out of government if the deal was approved.
On the other hand, Finance Minister Bezalel Smtrich said that his party will also leave the government if the war does not resume after the first phase of the ceasefire.
The Hamas Health Ministry said that more than 46,870 people have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict. Two-thirds of the population has been displaced and there are acute shortages of food, medicine and fuel.
It has been decided to set up a Joint Operations Room in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, to implement the agreement. It will include representatives from Qatar, the United States, Egypt, Palestine and Israel.
A mother's comment on this deal, “For 469 days our loved ones are hostages.” Now we have hope. We want everyone to come home safely and the war to end.
