By : Lloyd Mahachi
The Israeli cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, which is set to take effect on Sunday. The deal involves the exchange of captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This marks a significant development in the conflict, which has been ongoing for over 460 days and has resulted in the deaths of more than 46,788 Palestinians and the wounding of 110,453.
The agreement was ratified by the Israeli government after a meeting that lasted over six hours. The deal has been met with opposition from some Israeli cabinet hardliners, with eight ministers voting against it. However, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, paving the way for its implementation.
The Israeli government has faced intense pressure to secure the release of Israeli captives held in Gaza. The agreement is seen as a major achievement for the government, which has been criticized for its handling of the conflict.
Under the terms of the agreement, the ceasefire will begin with an initial six-week phase. During this time, captives in Gaza will be released in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli jails. This phase will also see the withdrawal of Israeli forces from many areas in Gaza, allowing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians to return to their homes.
The agreement also provides for the release of 737 Palestinian detainees in the first phase, which will take place on Sunday. The list of detainees includes members of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Palestinian Authority’s ruling Fatah movement, who are serving life sentences.
The release of Palestinian detainees is a significant concession by the Israeli government, which has long been criticized for its treatment of Palestinian prisoners. The move is seen as a major confidence-building measure, which could help to pave the way for future negotiations.
Despite the approval of the ceasefire agreement, there are concerns about its implementation. Many people are skeptical about whether the ceasefire will hold, and there are fears that it may not lead to lasting peace in Gaza.
The Palestinian Authority has announced that it is ready to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, but it remains to be seen how this will play out in practice. The authority has faced significant challenges in recent years, including a major split with Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007.
As the ceasefire comes into effect, attention will turn to the reconstruction of Gaza and the rebuilding of the lives of those affected by the conflict. The Palestinian Authority has said that it is fully prepared to carry out its duties and alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza.
However, the task ahead will be daunting, and it will require significant support from the international community. The United Nations has estimated that the conflict has caused over $10 billion in damages, and it will take years to rebuild the devastated infrastructure.
The international community has welcomed the ceasefire agreement, with the US, Qatar, and Egypt playing key roles in mediating the deal. The agreement is seen as a crucial step towards ending the conflict in Gaza, but it is only the first phase of a longer process.
In the coming weeks and months, attention will turn to the implementation of the agreement, and the challenges that lie ahead. The international community will be watching closely to see if the ceasefire holds, and if the parties can make progress towards a lasting peace.
Editor : Josephine Mahachi
