Israel’s cabinet has approved a historic ceasefire agreement with Hamas, aimed at ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip and facilitating the release of hostages. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the agreement would take effect starting Sunday. After six hours of intense discussions, 24 ministers voted in favor of the agreement, while 8 opposed it.
The ceasefire will be implemented in three phases. In the first phase, Israel will release all Palestinian women and minors under the age of 19 held in its prisons. In exchange, Hamas will release 33 of the 98 hostages it holds, including women, children, and elderly individuals. Israel’s Ministry of Justice has released a list of 95 Palestinian detainees to be freed on Sunday.
Despite the ceasefire announcement, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza continue. The ongoing conflict has claimed over 46,000 lives and displaced millions. International agencies are preparing to escalate relief efforts, with the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) ready to dispatch 4,000 trucks carrying food, fuel, and medical supplies.
Residents of Gaza view the ceasefire with cautious optimism. Displaced resident Reham Sheikh Al-Eid expressed hope, saying, “We want this agreement to be implemented so that we can return home and live a normal life.”
