Major breakthrough between Israel and Hamas

The government of Israel has approved the first phase of a ceasefire with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

This paves the way to suspend hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours and free Israeli hostages held there within 72 hours after that.

The Israeli cabinet approved the deal on Friday morning, roughly 24 hours after mediators announced the agreement under United States (US) President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war.

The deal sees the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and the start of a phased withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

White House sources have confirmed to Al Jazeera the US military will set up a task force of 200 troops to be deployed to monitor the ceasefire, but without entering the Palestinian enclave.

“With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a post on X.

Hamas’ Khalil Al-Hayya said in a televised speech that he had received guarantees from the United States and other mediators that the war was over, there will be an entry of aid and a prisoner exchange

The two-year war began when Hamas-led militants stormed through Israeli towns and a music festival on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and capturing 251 hostages.

Since then, more than 67,000 Palestinians are estimated to have been killed in Israel’s assault on Gaza.

It has been reported that 20 Israeli hostages are still believed to be alive in Gaza, while 26 are presumed dead, and the fate of two is unknown.

Hamas now has 72 hours from Israel’s government approving the deal to release the living captives it still holds in Gaza.

After that, Hamas needs to return the bodies of the 28 deceased captives. Hamas has said that the recovery of deceased individuals might take more time than the release of living captives.

Al-Hayya said that Israel agreed to release 250 Palestinian prisoners sentenced to life imprisonment, 1,700 prisoners from the Gaza Strip arrested after October 7, and all children and women in detention.

Reactions and challenges

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace. All Parties will be treated fairly!” Trump said in a statement posted on social media.

On Thursday, Trump acknowledged Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye’s mediation efforts. The announcement marks his most significant breakthrough for a key foreign policy goal during his re-election campaign.

Netanyahu said that “from the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved.”

“I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”

Despite the accord’s potential to advance peace efforts, analysts have noted that some challenges and question marks persist.

The Palestinian prisoner release list remains unresolved, with demands for prominent convicts’ freedom, including Hamas leaders.

The Israeli government has been hesitant to release high-profile prisoners, given that it is a designated terrorist organisation by Australia, Canada, Ecuador, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Paraguay, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union .

Trump’s 20-point plan, including Gaza’s post-war governance and Hamas’s disarmament, is yet to be addressed.

Netanyahu also faces coalition opposition, with Minister Ben-Gvir threatening to topple the government if Hamas remains intact.