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Published 06:39 IST, January 18th 2025

Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire Deal With Hamas, Hostage Release to Begin on Sunday

The deal was a little delayed as PM Netanyahu insisted there were 'last-minute' complications that he blamed on the Palestinian terror group.

Reported by: Digital Desk
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu | Image: X / Screengrab

Jerusalem: In a significant peace move, the Israeli government on Saturday approved the deal for a ceasefire in Gaza and would release dozens of hostages, pausing the 15-month-long destructive war in Gaza, AP reported.

The exchange of hostages between the two sides will go into effect on Sunday. However, key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive.

The deal was a little delayed as PM Netanyahu insisted there were 'last-minute' complications that he blamed on the Palestinian terror group.

PM Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare to receive the hostages returning from Gaza and said that their families were informed a deal had been reached.

Furthermore, hundreds of Palestinian detainees are to be released as well, and the largely devastated Gaza should see a surge in humanitarian aid. Meanwhile, Israel's justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the deal's first phase and said the release will not begin before 4 pm local time Sunday. All people on the list are younger or female.

Palestinian President Calls For Israel's Immediate Withdrawal From Gaza

Following the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, President Mahmoud Abbas called for a 'full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip,' asserting the presidency's firm stance and stating that Palestine is ready to "assume full responsibility" in Gaza.

"The Presidency affirmed its firm position of the necessity of an immediate ceasefire in and full Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. The Presidency reiterated that it was necessary to establish an immediate ceasefire and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and pave the way for the State of Palestine to assume full responsibility for the Gaza Strip as an integral part of the occupied territory. The State of Palestine has legal and political jurisdiction over the Strip as it is the case with the rest of the occupied territory of the West Bank and Jerusalem while affirming rejection of any carving up of the Gaza Strip and forced expulsion of any Palestinian from their homeland," he said in a statement.

Here is What You Need to Know:

Earlier this week, Hamas agreed on a deal with Israel for a ceasefire and the release of hostages. The Israeli security cabinet approved the deal on Friday evening and waited for endorsement from the cabinet.

The ceasefire agreement which is now approved, is poised to commence on Sunday and is structured in three phases. The initial phase, lasting six weeks, would see the release of 33 hostages held in Gaza alongside Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. This phase would also allow displaced Palestinians to begin returning to their homes, with Israeli troops withdrawing from populated areas of Gaza to enable a significant increase in humanitarian aid, according to US President Joe Biden .

The second phase aims for a permanent end to the conflict, involving the release of the remaining hostages, including male captives, in exchange for further Palestinian prisoners and a full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. The third and final stage would focus on the reconstruction of Gaza, a process that could stretch over years, alongside the return of any remaining hostages' bodies.

Updated 07:33 IST, January 18th 2025