Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene his cabinet on Thursday to review and approve a U.S.-backed Gaza ceasefire deal, marking a pivotal step toward ending the two-year war with Hamas.
The session, scheduled for 5 p.m. local time (10 a.m. ET), follows intensive talks in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, where Israeli and Hamas negotiators finalized details of the plan. The deal builds on the 20-point proposal introduced by U.S. President Donald Trump last month.
Once the cabinet gives its approval, the plan will move to a government-wide ratification vote, expected at 6 p.m. local time (11 a.m. ET). The ceasefire would take effect immediately after ratification, according to an Israeli official cited by media.
Hostage Release and Withdrawal Terms
Under the first phase of the agreement, all remaining hostages—alive and deceased—will be released from Gaza in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners. Negotiators reportedly discussed the release of nearly 2,000 detainees as part of the exchange.
Israeli forces will then withdraw to the so-called “yellow line” in Gaza, a designated boundary outlined in the White House’s ceasefire map. While details of the final positioning remain undisclosed, the withdrawal marks the first tangible step toward sustained de-escalation.
A senior Israeli official confirmed that Hamas will have 72 hours to release all hostages once the government approves the deal, suggesting the handover could take place as early as Sunday or Monday.
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Trump Hails Agreement as “Historic”
President Donald Trump called the deal “a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America.”
In a post shared to social media, Trump thanked Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey for their mediation roles and described the deal as “the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.”
Arab States Express Support
Governments across the region—including Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey—issued statements supporting the U.S. blueprint, encouraging Hamas to comply fully. Many Arab and Muslim nations see the proposal as the most viable path to ending a war that has devastated Gaza since October 2023, when Hamas launched its surprise attack on Israel.
Despite progress at the diplomatic level, Israeli airstrikes continued Thursday, targeting suspected Hamas positions across Gaza while negotiators finalized the ceasefire framework in Egypt.
Sources:
White House Briefing Room
