Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that a long-awaited deal to release hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been finalized. The agreement comes after prolonged negotiations and last-minute complications, which had delayed its approval.
Netanyahu stated that he would convene Israel’s security Cabinet later in the day to officially ratify the agreement. “The State of Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages – both living and dead,” his office said in a statement.
The deal reportedly includes the release of dozens of hostages held in Gaza by Hamas militants in exchange for Palestinian prisoners currently detained in Israeli facilities. It also involves a temporary pause in the 15-month-long war to facilitate the exchange and allow humanitarian aid into the region, while enabling displaced Palestinians to return to their homes in the devastated Gaza Strip.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas war, which began on October 7, 2023, has claimed thousands of lives on both sides. Hamas’s initial incursion into Israel resulted in the death of over 1,200 Israeli citizens and hundreds being taken hostage. Israel’s retaliatory airstrikes and ground operations have caused widespread devastation in Gaza, with over 46,000 Palestinians reported dead.
Rights groups have accused Israel of war crimes during the conflict, allegations the Israeli government has strongly denied.
The agreement comes after significant mediation efforts, with US President Joe Biden and Qatar playing key roles. Earlier delays were attributed to disputes between Israel and Hamas, as well as rising tensions within Netanyahu’s coalition government. Israeli airstrikes continued on Thursday, killing at least 72 people in Gaza, underscoring the urgency of a ceasefire.
Netanyahu’s statement appeared to pave the way for an official ceasefire and marked a significant step toward de-escalating one of the region’s most brutal conflicts.