The Israeli cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, including a plan for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The announcement, made by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, signals a potential end to the 15-month-long war in the enclave.
The war began on October 7, 2023, after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages. The conflict has devastated Gaza, killing over 46,000 people and displacing millions. Israeli airstrikes have razed entire neighborhoods, and ongoing strikes have killed 119 Palestinians since the ceasefire was announced.
Ceasefire Details and Implementation
According to Reuters the ceasefire is set to take effect on Sunday at 0630 GMT, according to a statement from Qatar’s foreign ministry. In the first phase of the three-stage agreement, hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israeli jails.

A woman and a child walk past a graffiti at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Amir Cohen TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Key aspects of the agreement include:
- The release of 33 Israeli hostages, prioritizing women, children, men over 50, and individuals who are ill or injured.
- Israel will release approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including 737 male, female, and teenage detainees, some convicted of deadly attacks against Israelis.
- After Sunday’s initial exchange, additional hostages are to be released in stages, with four hostages freed each week, followed by smaller groups.
The deal also includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, where residents face severe shortages of food, medicine, and fuel amidst a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Palestinians gather to receive food cooked by a charity kitchen, before a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel takes effect, in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, January 17, 2025. REUTERS/Hatem Khaled TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
Opposition and Challenges
The agreement has faced strong opposition from hard-liners within Netanyahu’s coalition government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have publicly criticized the deal, with Ben-Gvir threatening resignation. Despite their opposition, the agreement passed with 24 votes in favor and eight against in the Israeli cabinet.
Critics argue the ceasefire represents a concession to Hamas and worry about the group’s potential regrouping during the ceasefire period. Smotrich has demanded a resumption of hostilities if Hamas is not decisively defeated after the first six weeks.
International and Humanitarian Response
The ceasefire is seen as a crucial step toward easing tensions in the broader Middle East, where hostilities have spread to include Iran and its proxies. The U.S. has praised the agreement, with lead negotiator Brett McGurk stating, “We have locked down every single detail in this agreement.”
Humanitarian organizations, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), are preparing to deliver vital aid to Gaza. UNRWA has 4,000 trucks of supplies ready to enter the region, hoping the truce will alleviate the suffering of millions of displaced civilians.