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Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal

Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Deal

Israel’s government has officially approved a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas, which is slated to take effect on Sunday.

The decision followed hours of discussions, although two far-right ministers voted against the agreement. The security cabinet previously recommended ratifying the deal, stating it “supports the achievement of the objectives of the war,” according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.

Shortly before the decision, both the Israeli government and Hamas confirmed they had finalized the deal’s details, with mediation facilitated by the US, Qatar, and Egypt. Under this agreement, 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails during an initial six-week phase.

Additionally, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas in Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return home, and hundreds of aid trucks will enter the territory daily. Negotiations for the second phase—aiming for the release of remaining hostages, a complete Israeli troop withdrawal, and the restoration of “sustainable calm”—will commence on the 16th day after the ceasefire begins.

The final stage of the agreement will involve the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies and the long-term reconstruction of Gaza, a process anticipated to take years. Qatar indicated that the hostages to be released in the first phase will include “civilian women, female soldiers, children, the elderly, and sick and wounded civilians.”

The Israeli government reported that three hostages are expected to be freed on the first day of the ceasefire, with additional releases planned after that.

The violence in Gaza has continued unabated, with the Hamas-run health ministry reporting that over 46,870 people have died since the conflict escalated. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with most of the population displaced and severe shortages of food, medicine, and shelter.

Before the government vote, Culture Minister Miki Zohar expressed the difficulty of the decision but emphasized the importance of securing the return of all hostages. However, far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir expressed his discontent with the agreement, particularly regarding the release of individuals he termed “life-sentenced terrorists,” urging other ministers to vote against it.

The situation escalated into a significant issue after a South Korean court previously issued a warrant for Yoon Suk Yeol, which the government must now navigate as it works toward a resolution.

As negotiations progressed, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra suggested that the government is also considering measures to ensure accountability and oversight of online gambling platforms.

In conclusion, while the ceasefire agreement brings a glimmer of hope for some families and a potential respite from violence, significant challenges remain, and the situation is still fluid. The continuing violence in Gaza underscores the complexity and urgency of achieving a lasting peace.

Credit: BBC News

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