Israel’s government approves agreement for hostages’ release amid ceasefire
Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire in Gaza and a plan to secure the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas, marking a significant step toward ending the prolonged two-year conflict.
Sources in Washington confirmed that a group of 200 US military personnel will be stationed in the region to monitor the truce after Israel and Hamas agreed to the initial phase of the ceasefire proposal.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated that the cabinet endorsed the framework of the deal early Friday, focusing on the liberation of all hostages but not addressing other disputed elements.
According to an Israeli official, the ceasefire was set to start immediately after the government’s approval, with a 24-hour window for troops to withdraw to designated positions. Subsequently, the remaining hostages would be freed within 72 hours, a government spokesperson said.
News of the agreement was met with relief but also caution in both Israel and Gaza, where concerns lingered that the deal might not hold.
Key developments included:
Hamas’s exiled Gaza leader, Khalil Al-Hayya, stated that assurances had been given by mediators that the conflict would end.
A senior US official said the head of US Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, would lead the 200-member team to ensure compliance with the truce. Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish, and possibly Emirati military personnel would join the operation, though no US forces would enter Gaza.
Even as the cabinet voted, Israeli airstrikes persisted in Gaza. Explosions were reported in the north, with an attack on a building in Gaza City killing at least two and trapping dozens under debris, according to Palestinian civil defence.
Gaza’s health authorities, overseen by Hamas, reported at least 11 fatalities and 49 injuries in the past day.
An unnamed Israeli military official stated that strikes were targeting threats to withdrawing troops. Hamas condemned the attacks, accusing Netanyahu of undermining mediation efforts.
Of the remaining hostages, 20 are believed alive, 26 presumed dead, and the status of two remains unclear.
The broader ceasefire proposal leaves unresolved issues, including Hamas’s disarmament, but both sides have moved closer than in previous months toward ending hostilities. The conflict began after Hamas’s 2023 assault on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 abductions.
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