Israel’s Security Cabinet greenlights Gaza ceasefire deal, hostage release expected

Israeli security cabinet recommends Gaza deal, full cabinet meeting to follow

Israel’s security Cabinet on Friday, January 17, 2025, recommended approving a ceasefire deal, following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s confirmation that an agreement had been reached to pause the ongoing 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza. The deal, which includes the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas, was initially announced on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, by mediators Qatar and the US, but faced delays due to last-minute issues, with Netanyahu attributing them to Hamas.

As of Friday, the deal awaits final ratification by Israel’s full Cabinet of Ministers, which is expected to sign off on it, with a ceasefire likely to begin as soon as Sunday, January 19, 2025. However, the deal faces strong opposition from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners, which could destabilize his government.

The conflict began with a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, killing about 1,200 Israelis and taking around 250 people hostage. Israel responded with a large-scale offensive that has resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, with women and children constituting more than half of the casualties. The war has destabilized the region and sparked protests globally.

In the lead-up to the ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes continued, killing at least 72 people in Gaza on January 16, 2025. In past ceasefire agreements, both sides have escalated military operations in the final hours to project strength. Netanyahu has instructed a special task force to prepare for the return of hostages, with their families already informed that a deal is in place.

The ceasefire agreement calls for the release of 33 hostages from Gaza over the next six weeks in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinians detained by Israel. Israeli forces will also pull back from several areas, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes, while humanitarian aid will be increased.

The second phase of the deal, which involves the release of the remaining hostages, including male soldiers, will require further negotiations during the first phase. Hamas has stated it will not release the remaining captives without a lasting ceasefire and full Israeli withdrawal, while Israel has vowed to continue its military efforts until Hamas is dismantled and the region remains under Israeli security control.