Source: BBC
Israel’s government has approved the first phase of a long-awaited Gaza deal that is set to bring a ceasefire and the release of hostages, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced early Friday.
Under the agreement, the Israeli military will pull back to a line leaving it in control of roughly 53% of the Gaza Strip, while Hamas will be required to release 20 living hostages within 72 hours of the ceasefire taking effect.
In return, Israel will release approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences, as well as around 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
The ceasefire, expected to begin early Saturday, 24 hours after the cabinet’s approval, marks the first stage of a broader, multi-phase plan. This framework forms part of U.S. President Donald Trump’s 20-point peace initiative, though significant challenges remain unresolved.
Humanitarian aid is also set to surge under the agreement. The United Nations confirmed that hundreds of aid trucks will deliver food, medicine, and fuel to Gaza’s two million residents, most of whom have been displaced by months of conflict.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials said Washington will deploy up to 200 troops from elsewhere in the Middle East to Israel to help coordinate a multinational monitoring force to oversee compliance with the ceasefire terms.
In Jerusalem, music and celebrations filled the streets as the news broke, yet many remain cautious. While the agreement marks a significant step toward calm, it is viewed as a temporary ceasefire rather than a lasting peace, with many of the most difficult issues still unresolved.
Key Points:
- Ceasefire expected to take effect early Saturday.
- Israeli forces to withdraw to a line controlling 53% of Gaza.
- Hamas to release 20 living hostages within 72 hours.
- Israel to free about 1,950 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
- U.S. to deploy 200 troops to help monitor ceasefire.
- UN to oversee aid convoys delivering food, fuel, and medicine to Gaza.
With information from BBC.
