The security cabinet will convene on Friday before a full cabinet meeting to approve the deal, according to an official statement. It remains uncertain whether the full cabinet will meet on Friday or Saturday or if there will be a delay in the ceasefire set to begin on Sunday.
White House spokesperson John Kirby expressed confidence that the agreement is progressing as planned, with the ceasefire in the 15-month-old conflict expected to commence over the weekend. He emphasized on CNN that there are no indications of any disruptions to the process at this point.
A group advocating for the release of Israeli hostages in Gaza, particularly 33 individuals slated for freedom in the initial six-week phase of the agreement, urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to expedite the process to bring them home swiftly. They emphasized the urgency for the remaining 98 hostages, underscoring the plight they endure every night and urging no further delays.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken mentioned a lingering issue in the negotiations that needed resolution. An anonymous U.S. official disclosed a disagreement over the identities of certain prisoners Hamas sought for release, currently under discussion with the involvement of U.S. and other mediators in Doha.
Hamas’ senior official affirmed the group’s commitment to the ceasefire deal, despite mixed emotions within Gaza following the ceasefire announcement. Tragically, instances of sorrow and anger surfaced over renewed violence post-announcement.
Israel’s formal acceptance of the deal hinges on approval from the security cabinet and government, with the timeline yet to be clarified by the prime minister’s office. Concerns arose that the ceasefire start on Sunday might face postponement if Israeli approval is not secured by Saturday.
While some hardliners within Netanyahu’s government oppose ending the conflict without fully dismantling Hamas, a majority of ministers are anticipated to support the agreement. Protests against the ceasefire erupted in Jerusalem, with demonstrators expressing dissent through various actions.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., stipulates an initial six-week ceasefire accompanied by the gradual withdrawal of Israeli troops. It includes the release of numerous hostages held by Hamas and Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel, opening avenues for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza’s vulnerable population.
Israeli tallies. If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanized Gaza, killed over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the tiny enclave’s pre-war population of 2.3 million, according to Gaza authorities. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Netanyahu: Gaza ceasefire imminent; deal will release hostages
