Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced on Friday that the government has approved the framework of a deal with Hamas to release hostages, as efforts to end more than two years of conflict in Gaza move forward.
The agreement, brokered in Egypt, follows a 20-point peace plan for Gaza unveiled last month by US President Donald Trump, who is expected to travel to the region on Sunday. Trump’s itinerary includes a stop in Israel and a possible visit to Gaza.
According to Israeli officials, all parties have signed the first phase of the ceasefire agreement. This phase includes the release of 47 remaining hostages—both alive and deceased—in exchange for thousands of Palestinian prisoners. In return, Israel has committed to begin withdrawing its military forces from Gaza within 24 hours of the agreement's approval.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the deal early Friday, stating it provides for the release of all hostages. Despite internal resistance, including opposition from far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, the plan was approved. Ben Gvir called the exchange "an unbearable heavy price."
While the agreement has prompted celebrations in both Israel and Gaza and has been praised by world leaders, key elements of the plan remain unresolved. These include the disarmament of Hamas and the proposal for a transitional authority in Gaza headed by Trump—an idea strongly rejected by Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.
"No Palestinian would accept this," said senior Hamas official Osama Hamdan in an interview with Al Araby, referring to the Trump-led authority proposal.
Trump told reporters that Hamas disarmament would be addressed in the second phase of the peace plan. He also said Israeli forces would carry out further pullbacks.
Senior US officials confirmed that a 200-member military team led by Admiral Brad Cooper of US Central Command would be sent to the region to monitor the ceasefire. Officials stressed that US troops would not enter Gaza, with Egyptian, Qatari, Turkish, and potentially Emirati military officials embedded in the oversight team.
Israeli government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said all hostages would be released 72 hours after the agreement was signed, which would be by Monday. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar declared the release would signal the war's end.
Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, in a rare interview with Israeli media, called the moment historic and expressed hope for lasting peace and stability.
US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner visited Jerusalem Thursday night and met with Netanyahu and Israeli President Isaac Herzog. They also reportedly took part in the Israeli cabinet meeting that approved the deal.
Negotiations were held in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh. The agreement includes a sharp increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the UN has declared a famine. Much of Gaza has been devastated by Israel’s military campaign.
Displaced Palestinians in Gaza reacted with emotion to the announcement. "Tears of joy flowed," said Samer Joudeh. "Two years of bombing, terror, destruction, loss, and the constant feeling that we could die at any moment."
In Israel, thousands gathered in Tel Aviv to celebrate, waving flags and holding photos of hostages. "We have been waiting for this day for 734 days," said Laurence Ytzhak, 54.
Hamas has submitted a list of Palestinian prisoners it wants released in the first phase. The list includes 250 individuals serving life sentences and 1,700 others arrested since the start of the war.
The agreement comes as the region marks the second anniversary of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, which killed 1,219 people and led to the abduction of 251 hostages. Israeli authorities say 47 remain in Gaza, including 25 confirmed dead.
Israel’s response in Gaza has resulted in 67,194 deaths, according to the Hamas-run health ministry—figures the United Nations deems credible. Over half the reported dead are women and children.
Despite the agreement, Gaza’s civil defence agency reported ongoing Israeli strikes after the announcement. AFP journalists and witnesses said explosions and artillery fire continued Thursday evening in southern and central Gaza.
