Israel’s security cabinet met on Friday to discuss a potential ceasefire and hostage release deal concerning the ongoing Gaza conflict, with a decision expected this weekend. The agreement, mediated by Qatar, the US and Egypt, would end the fighting in Gaza, marking the cessation of the deadliest conflict in the region’s history. If approved, the ceasefire would begin on Sunday and allow the release of dozens of hostages held since Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.
The deal also stipulates the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails in the coming weeks. Despite the announcement, Israeli strikes continue to target Gaza, with over 100 killed since the deal was unveiled. The violence threatens the hostages’ safety, with Hamas’s armed wing warning that Israeli attacks could turn the planned release into a tragedy.
Gazans hope to return
For Gazans displaced by the conflict, there is hope for returning home. Nasr al-Gharabli, who fled Gaza City, expressed his desire to return to his land, regretting the displacement. In Israel, there’s a mix of joy and sorrow, as hostages are expected to be freed, but some may return in coffins.
The approval process has been controversial with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing Hamas of trying to extort additional concessions. Despite opposition from some far-right members of the cabinet, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed confidence that the ceasefire would be implemented as scheduled.
Path to peace
The ceasefire negotiations gained momentum after months of deadlock, with both the US and former President Donald Trump playing crucial roles in the process. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani said that the initial phase of the deal would involve the release of 33 hostages, including women, children and the elderly, while Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas. President Joe Biden said that the second phase of the agreement could lead to a permanent end to the war and hugely increase humanitarian aid for Palestinians.
