Ceasefire deal sparks hope for peace as Israeli sets to vote on Gaza deal

(File Photo: AFP)
The Israeli cabinet is set to vote on a ceasefire and hostage-exchange agreement with Hamas on Thursday, aiming to bring an end to 15 months of devastating conflict in Gaza.
Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the truce is expected to commence on Sunday, signaling a significant step towards lasting peace.
The deal includes an exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas in Gaza. During an initial 42-day ceasefire, 33 hostages, including women, children, and the elderly, will be released, while terms for further exchanges will be finalized.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking with both U.S. President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump, acknowledged their contributions to the agreement while cautioning that “final details” are still pending.
Meanwhile, demonstrators in Tel Aviv and Gaza celebrated the announcement, but opposition remains within Netanyahu’s cabinet, with two far-right ministers expressing strong dissent.
The conflict, which began with a deadly Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, has claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza and more than 1,200 in Israel, predominantly civilians.
The ceasefire offers a reprieve to the region, with hopes for humanitarian aid and the return of displaced residents to their homes.
President-elect Trump lauded the agreement as a diplomatic victory, while Biden emphasized the need for sustained humanitarian efforts.
Similarly, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi highlighted the urgency of delivering aid to Gaza through the Rafah crossing.