Israel’s government has approved a ceasefire and hostage exchange deal with Hamas, set to begin on Sunday. The agreement, mediated by Qatar, the US, and Egypt, will see 33 Israeli hostages swapped for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners over six weeks. Israeli forces will also withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, and aid deliveries will increase.
The deal, passed after extensive discussions, faced opposition from two far-right ministers. While some Israeli officials support the agreement as a step towards bringing all hostages home, others fear it may not be fully implemented.
Negotiations for a second phase, which includes releasing the remaining hostages and a full Israeli troop withdrawal, will begin on the 16th day. A third phase will focus on Gaza’s reconstruction.
Hamas and Israel finalized the agreement after last-minute disputes. Meanwhile, Gaza continues to face airstrikes, with reports of civilian casualties despite the upcoming ceasefire.
