Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday that the government had given its approval to the framework of a hostage release agreement with Hamas, marking progress towards ending over two years of conflict in Gaza. Israel had previously stated that all involved parties had endorsed the initial phase of a ceasefire deal, emphasizing that the release of captives by Hamas would signify the conclusion of the ongoing conflict.
This development in Egypt aligns with a 20-point peace initiative for Gaza that was introduced by US President Donald Trump last month, who is slated to depart for the Middle East on Sunday. Egypt is organizing a celebratory event to mark the finalization of the agreement, with Trump potentially visiting Israel and considering a trip to the devastated Gaza region.
The Israeli administration had outlined that the ceasefire was expected to come into effect within 24 hours following discussions on Thursday to ratify the agreement, which entails the eventual withdrawal of the military from Gaza. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released a statement early on Friday, confirming the government’s endorsement of the framework for the release of all hostages, both living and deceased.
Despite the positive reception in Israel and Gaza, with global leaders commending the deal, several unresolved issues remain, including the disarmament of Hamas and the proposal for a transitional authority in Gaza led by Trump himself. Senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan expressed the movement’s rejection of the latter proposal, stating that no Palestinian entity would accept it.
President Trump indicated that the issue of Hamas disarming would be addressed in the subsequent phase of the peace plan, reiterating the necessity for the group to relinquish their weapons. Additionally, there are plans for Israeli forces to make strategic withdrawals as part of the agreement.
US officials disclosed that a military contingent of 200 personnel, headed by Admiral Brad Cooper of US Central Command, would be deployed to oversee the truce in the Middle East. The team is expected to include military representatives from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and possibly the UAE, with no intent for US troops to enter Gaza.
The signing of the first-stage agreement by all parties on Thursday marked a significant step forward, with Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian confirming the imminent release of all hostages within 72 hours, leading up to Monday. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized that the release of hostages should pave the way for the end of the conflict.
The deal, negotiated in closed-door discussions at Sharm El-Sheikh, envisions a substantial influx of aid into Gaza, which has been grappling with dire humanitarian conditions as declared by the UN. The announcement of the agreement elicited relief and jubilation in Gaza, where many areas have been severely impacted by Israeli military operations.
In parallel, celebrations erupted in Israel, with crowds gathering in Tel Aviv to commemorate the event, holding up pictures of hostages still held in Gaza and waving Israeli and US flags. Hamas has presented a list of Palestinian prisoners it seeks to have released from Israeli detention facilities in the initial phase, including individuals sentenced to life imprisonment and others arrested since the conflict commenced.
The negotiation process occurred against the backdrop of the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on Israel, resulting in significant casualties and hostages being taken into Gaza. Israel’s retaliatory actions in Gaza have led to a substantial loss of life, with a notable portion consisting of women and children, as reported by the health ministry in the Hamas-administered territory.
Following the announcement of the agreement, Gaza reportedly experienced additional strikes and artillery fire, underscoring the volatility of the situation despite progress towards a ceasefire.