Jerusalem: Israel’s government on Friday formally approved a landmark agreement aimed at ending the two-year-long conflict in Gaza, marking the first phase of a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The deal also includes a structured plan for the release of hostages held in the territory. Following the approval, the Israeli military confirmed that the ceasefire took effect at noon local time (09:00 GMT), signaling the start of a carefully timed sequence of actions.
Under the terms of the agreement, the Israeli military is set to withdraw to pre-agreed lines within 24 hours. This redeployment is designed to reduce friction with Gaza’s civilian population while maintaining control over roughly half of the enclave’s territory. Israeli forces will pull back from key urban areas, aiming to stabilize the situation on the ground while retaining strategic oversight.
A crucial component of the agreement involves the release of hostages. Within 72 hours of the military’s redeployment, all 48 hostages are to be handed over to Israeli security authorities. Of these, 20 are confirmed alive, while the recovery of others—some deceased may take longer due to incomplete knowledge of burial sites, according to Hamas.
Following the hostages’ release, Israel will reciprocate by freeing 250 Palestinians convicted or suspected of security offenses, along with 1,700 adults and 22 minors detained during the conflict in Gaza. Additionally, the bodies of 360 fighters will be returned as part of the arrangement.
Humanitarian assistance is also a key focus of the agreement. Aid shipments are set to increase significantly, with two main roads in Gaza open for the free movement of supplies. Israeli officials report that approximately 600 trucks will enter Gaza daily, providing essential food, medical aid, and other necessities.
The agreement also facilitates the movement of civilians. Gaza residents will be allowed to travel to Egypt via the Rafah crossing under the coordination of Egypt and with Israeli approval, supervised by an EU delegation. Return travel into Gaza will similarly require Israeli approval and will follow mechanisms agreed upon between Israel and Egypt.
This first-phase agreement is a carefully orchestrated step toward de-escalation, emphasizing humanitarian relief, civilian safety, and the gradual normalization of conditions in Gaza. While significant challenges remain, the deal represents a critical milestone in efforts to end one of the region’s most prolonged and devastating conflicts.