Gaza Ceasefire Deal Set to Take Effect This Weekend
The Israel’s security cabinet is set to meet Friday to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, which should take effect this weekend. If approved, the agreement would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza’s deadliest-ever war and initiate the release of dozens of hostages held in the territory since Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.
Deal Details
Under the deal struck by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, the ensuing weeks should also see the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. The ceasefire, due to begin Sunday after more than a year of war, would take effect on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as president of the United States.
Consequences of War
Gaza rescuers said Thursday that Israeli strikes killed dozens of people, while Israel’s military reported hitting about 50 targets across the territory over the past day. But even before the start of the truce, Gazans displaced by the war to other parts of the territory were preparing to return to their homes. "I am waiting for Sunday morning when they will announce the ceasefire," said Nasr al-Gharabli, who fled his home in Gaza City for a camp further south in the territory. "I will go to kiss my land, and I already regret leaving Gaza and my land. If I die on my land, it would be better than being here as a displaced person."
Impact on Israel
In Israel, there was joy but also pain over the fate of hostages who have died or been killed since their capture. In Tel Aviv, pensioner Simon Patya said he felt "great joy" that some hostages would return alive, but also "great sorrow for those who are returning in bags, and that will be a very strong blow, morally".
Confident of Success
The lead-up to Friday’s security cabinet meeting has been fraught with uncertainty, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office accusing Hamas of reneging on key parts of the deal to extort last-minute concessions — an allegation Hamas denied. His office said early Friday a "deal to release the hostages" had been reached, however, as he ordered the security cabinet to meet. "The government will then convene to approve the deal," it added.
At least two far-right cabinet members have voiced opposition to the deal, but US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, whose government is Israel’s close ally, said he believed the ceasefire would go ahead on schedule. "I am confident, and I fully expect that implementation will begin, as we said, on Sunday," he said.
Casualties
Gaza’s civil defence agency said Israel pounded several areas of the territory after the deal was announced on Wednesday, killing more than 100 people and wounding hundreds since then. Hamas’s armed wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, warned that Israeli strikes were risking the lives of hostages due to be freed under the deal, and could turn their "freedom… into a tragedy".
Trump and Biden’s Involvement
The ceasefire agreement followed intensified efforts from mediators after months of fruitless negotiations, and with Trump’s team taking credit for working with US President Joe Biden’s administration to seal the deal. "If we weren’t involved in this deal, the deal would’ve never happened," Trump said in an interview Thursday. A senior Biden official said the unlikely pairing had been a decisive factor in reaching the deal.
Next Steps
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, announcing the agreement on Wednesday, said an initial 42-day ceasefire would see 33 hostages released, including women, "children, elderly people, as well as civilian ill people and wounded". Also in the first phase, Israeli forces would withdraw from Gaza’s densely populated areas and allow displaced Palestinians to return "to their residences", he said.
Conclusion
The Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal is a significant development that brings hope for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The agreement’s success depends on the commitment of all parties involved to adhere to its terms. The humanitarian crisis in Gaza remains dire, and the international community must work together to provide necessary aid and support to the Palestinian people.
FAQs
Q: What is the timeline for the ceasefire and hostage release deal?
A: The deal is set to take effect on Sunday, with an initial 42-day ceasefire and the release of 33 hostages.
Q: How many people have been killed in the conflict?
A: According to official Israeli figures, over 1,200 people have been killed in the conflict, mostly civilians.
Q: What is the status of the Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails?
A: The deal includes the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Q: What is the estimated cost to rebuild Gaza’s devastated infrastructure?
A: According to the World Health Organization, at least $10 billion will be needed over the next five to seven years to rebuild Gaza’s devastated health system alone.