Gaza ceasefire deal ratified as Israel, Hamas prepare for first prisoner exchange
While the deal marks a crucial step toward ending hostilities, the broader framework for lasting peace remains unsettled.
Israel’s government has approved the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, a move that sets the stage for the exchange of captives and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from parts of Gaza.
While the deal marks a crucial step toward ending hostilities, the broader framework for lasting peace remains unsettled.
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Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’s negotiating team, said the group has received assurances from the United States and mediators that the initial agreement signals the war in Gaza “has ended completely.”
The cabinet vote, confirmed in the early hours of Friday, clears the way for fighting in Gaza to cease within 24 hours.
Hamas has been given a 72-hour deadline to release Israeli captives, including both living and deceased prisoners. In return, Israel will free Palestinians serving life sentences in its jails as well as detainees from Gaza.
Right-wing factions in Israel reportedly opposed the agreement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had earlier told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would not support any government “that will allow Hamas rule to continue in Gaza.”
The conflict has left a devastating toll.
Since October 7, 2023, at least 67,194 people have been killed in Gaza and 169,890 injured, with thousands more believed trapped under collapsed buildings. In Israel, the October attack claimed 1,139 lives, and around 200 were taken captive.
The ceasefire is part of the first phase of US President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan. Under the agreement, Israeli forces will pull back to a line controlling 53% of the Gaza Strip, marking the first of three planned withdrawal stages.
The United States is deploying up to 200 troops to Israel to coordinate a multinational force tasked with monitoring the ceasefire. This step is intended to ensure both sides adhere to the terms and reduce the risk of renewed fighting.
Ahead of the cabinet vote, Prime Minister Netanyahu thanked President Trump for mediating the agreement, even as critics accused him of prolonging the war for political gain.
Khalil al-Hayya emphasised that with guarantees from the US and other mediators, the war has effectively ended, signalling cautious optimism on both sides.
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