Netanyahu’s Cabinet to Approve Gaza Ceasefire Deal After Talks
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to convene his cabinet on Thursday to discuss a proposed ceasefire agreement aimed at ending the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip. Following days of intensive negotiations in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Israeli and Hamas representatives have finalized a plan based on a 20-point proposal presented by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.
The cabinet meeting is scheduled for 17:00 local time (10:00 ET), where approval of the ceasefire deal is anticipated. Once the cabinet endorses the proposal, it will be submitted to the broader government for ratification, expected around 18:00 local time (11:00 ET). An Israeli official confirmed that hostilities between the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Hamas will cease following the government’s approval.
According to Trump, Israel and Hamas have agreed to the first phase of the deal, which entails the release of all remaining hostages, both alive and deceased, from Gaza. In exchange, a yet-to-be-determined number of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons will be released. Reports suggest that discussions are focused on the potential release of nearly 2,000 prisoners.
As part of the deal, the IDF will withdraw to the “yellow line” in Gaza, a term referring to a proposed ceasefire map released by the White House last month. The complete details of the agreement have not been publicly disclosed, and the precise location of the “yellow line” may have shifted during negotiations.
A senior Israeli official indicated that a 72-hour timeframe for Hamas to release all hostages will commence once the government ratifies the deal, which is expected on Thursday. The 20 hostages believed to be alive are anticipated to be released in a single group over the weekend, likely on Sunday or Monday.
Following the ratification, the IDF will have 24 hours to reposition to the yellow line. A senior official stated that this process will signify the imminent release of all hostages and the IDF’s troop withdrawal as initial steps towards a “strong, durable, and everlasting peace.” Trump expressed optimism about the agreement in a social media post, calling it a “great day” for the Arab and Muslim world, Israel, neighboring nations, and the United States.
Key regional leaders have publicly supported the White House plan, urging Hamas to accept the proposal that could potentially end more than two years of conflict in the Gaza Strip. Since the war erupted after Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, the region has experienced significant destruction due to Israeli military actions.
Despite the ongoing negotiations, intense strikes across Gaza continued on Thursday. The situation remains fluid as the final elements of the ceasefire deal are being finalized in Egypt. Updates will follow as more information becomes available.
