LONDON DAILY ARCHIVE
Israeli Security Cabinet Endorses Ceasefire Agreement with Hamas
The agreement involves the release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, indicating a possible end to the 15-month conflict.
18 January 2025 · 01:40 UTC
The agreement's implementation is pending approval by the full Israeli cabinet, which met on Friday afternoon.
If fully implemented, the ceasefire could enable the return of the first group of hostages on Sunday and offer a respite from ongoing hostilities in the Gaza Strip.
Ceasefire Terms
The initial six-week phase of the three-stage agreement calls for Hamas to release 33 Israeli hostages, prioritizing women, children, and men over 50.
In return, Israel will release Palestinian detainees, including women and children under 19.
The total number of Palestinian prisoners to be released—expected to be between 990 and 1,650—will depend on the number of hostages freed by Hamas during the first phase.
The Israeli Justice Ministry has published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners scheduled for release on Sunday.
Qatar, Egypt, and the United States played crucial roles in mediating the agreement.
Ongoing Conflict and Humanitarian Crisis
Despite the ceasefire agreement, intense Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza on Friday, with local emergency services reporting 116 Palestinian deaths, including 60 women and children, since the deal's announcement.
Gaza has suffered severe devastation during the conflict, with over 46,000 deaths reported by local authorities and widespread displacement of its 2.3 million residents.
In southern Gaza, airstrikes targeted areas sheltering displaced individuals, resulting in more casualties.
Among those affected, displaced residents expressed hope that the ceasefire would improve dire living conditions.
"Life has become an unbearable hell," said Jomaa Abed al-Aal, a Gaza resident.
The World Health Organization has suggested that the ceasefire could allow for increased humanitarian aid, potentially increasing deliveries to 600 trucks per day to meet the urgent needs of displaced populations.
Opposition and Challenges
The ceasefire has faced opposition from hardline members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have voiced opposition, with Ben-Gvir threatening to resign over the agreement.
Despite their objections, Netanyahu confirmed that agreements had been made to release hostages and initiate the ceasefire.
Background and Implications
The conflict escalated after a Hamas-led attack on Israeli communities on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 deaths and the abduction of over 250 hostages, according to Israeli authorities.
Since then, the situation has gained international attention and heightened regional tensions, involving Hezbollah, Yemen’s Houthis, and other Iran-aligned groups.
The agreement also includes steps for a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza and increased humanitarian aid access.
While the ceasefire offers a chance for de-escalation, significant challenges persist, including opposition within the Israeli government and the need for ongoing international mediation to ensure the agreement’s terms are upheld.
Currently, Israel estimates that 98 hostages remain in Gaza, with about half believed to be alive.
Preparations are in progress to verify the identities of those to be released in the initial phase of the agreement.
The situation remains dynamic, with further developments anticipated in the coming days.