Breaking: Captive exchange agreed as Israeli cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Hamas

The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas, bringing hope for an end to over 460 days of conflict.

This agreement, expected to take effect on Sunday, includes the exchange of captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.

The decision, reached in the early hours of Saturday, comes after a devastating war that has claimed the lives of more than 46,788 Palestinians and injured 110,453.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet finalised the terms, with plans to work toward a permanent resolution once the exchange and ceasefire are implemented.

Delays in Agreement Finalisation

While the agreement was initially expected to be concluded earlier, delays arose due to disagreements among Israeli ministers and accusations that Hamas sought last-minute concessions.

Netanyahu’s office claimed Hamas reneged on critical aspects of the deal, leading to postponed cabinet votes.

However, Hamas official Izzat al-Risheq dismissed these allegations, stating that the group remained committed to the ceasefire.

By Friday morning, Hamas announced that all obstacles to the agreement had been resolved, paving the way for progress.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that captives could begin to be released as soon as Sunday, contingent on final approval by the Israeli cabinet.

Mediators Broker Ceasefire

The agreement, facilitated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, was announced on Wednesday.

It outlines a six-week ceasefire period during which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw from parts of Gaza.

The deal also promises increased humanitarian aid to the region, offering some relief to the war-torn population.

As both sides prepare to implement the agreement, attention now turns to the terms of a potential permanent resolution to end the long-standing conflict.