Israel govt approves ceasefire deal with Hamas to free hostages, end Gaza conflict

The Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal was mediated by Qatar and US on Wed, however, was in limbo for more than a day as Netanyahu said there were last-minute snags.

Updated on: Jan 18, 2025, 09:30:45 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

In a significant move towards ending the 15-month-long war in Gaza, Israel's government on Saturday approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which will go into effect on Sunday, January 19 and includes a series of hostage exchanges.

This handout picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (2-R), heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that should take effect ton January 19, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. (AFP)

After more than six hours of deliberations on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli cabinet green signalled the agreement which calls for a six-week ceasefire, a key component of a three-phase plan aimed at releasing hostages and prisoners.

Also Read: ‘Ready for ceasefire, but Israel must respect proposal’, says Hamas

Despite strong opposition from some hardline ministers, who voted against the deal, 24 of Netanyahu’s cabinet members supported the ceasefire.

The Israeli security cabinet had on Friday already approved the agreement, which requires two rounds of approval.

Hamas-Israel ceasefire deal

The ceasefire deal will see Hamas release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over the age of 50. In exchange, Israel will free all Palestinian women and children under the age of 19 who are currently detained in Israeli prisons.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, which has reduced a large part of the region to rubble, has claimed over 46,000 lives, displaced millions and has drawn in various Middle Eastern factions, including Iran, Hezbollah, and armed groups from Yemen and Iraq.

Despite continued Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the ceasefire deal raises hopes for a reduction in hostilities.

This agreement, reached by Hamas and Israel on Wednesday, was mediated by Qatar and the US, however, it was in limbo for more than a day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group, which rejected the allegations.

The war in the long-standing Israel-Palestine conflict broke out after Hamas on October 7, 2023, carried out a cross-border attack into Israel that killed some 1,200 people and left some 250 others captive. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.