Israel’s security Cabinet has recommended a ceasefire deal, which now awaits approval from the full Cabinet amid ongoing tensions with Hamas.
Mediators from Qatar and the U.S. announced this ceasefire earlier, but it hit a snag for a bit. Netanyahu was worried about some last-minute issues he blamed on Hamas. Meanwhile, folks in Gaza and families of the hostages were on edge, waiting to see what would happen.
Now, this deal is heading to the full Cabinet for final approval. It looks like they might give it the green light, possibly starting as soon as Sunday. But there’s some pushback from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, which could shake things up for his government.
This whole conflict kicked off when Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which resulted in a tragic loss of life. Israel responded with a major offensive, leading to a staggering number of casualties in Gaza.
The situation has been tense, with airstrikes continuing even as talks were happening. Netanyahu has set up a task force to prepare for the return of hostages, and families have been informed that a deal is in the works.
The plan is to release 33 of the roughly 100 hostages over six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians in Israeli prisons. There’s also talk of easing military presence in some areas and ramping up humanitarian aid.
However, Hamas is saying they won’t release the rest of the captives without a lasting ceasefire and a full Israeli withdrawal. It’s a complicated situation, and there are still many questions about what happens in Gaza after the fighting stops.
There were some last-minute issues regarding which Palestinian prisoners would be released, but those seem to have been sorted out. An Israeli delegation is also in Cairo discussing the reopening of the Rafah crossing, which is crucial for Gaza.
On the flip side, there’s some serious opposition in Israel. The national security minister has threatened to resign if the ceasefire goes through, which could create more instability for Netanyahu’s government. It’s a delicate moment, and things could change quickly.
