Gaza war halt: Israel approves hostage exchange deal with Hamas

World news: In a historic decision, Israel's government has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, marking a significant step toward ending the 15-month-long war in Gaza. The agreement, which includes a critical hostage exchange component, was greenlit after more than six hours of intense deliberations by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet on Saturday. The ceasefire will take effect on Sunday, January 19.

Six-week ceasefire plan

The deal forms part of a three-phase overall plan that has been set out to secure the release of the hostages and prisoners. Of the 33 Israeli hostages held by Hamas, women, children, and men above 50 will be released. In return, Israel will let all Palestinian women and children below 19 currently in Israeli prisons go free. The agreement further entails a six-week ceasefire as a light in the hope of peace in this war-torn region.

The 24 cabinet members voted in favor of the deal despite the strong opposition from a few hardline ministers. On Friday, the Israeli security cabinet had given the preliminary nod for the deal to be implemented after the two-step process.

Destruction in Gaza and the international consequences

The war between Israel and Gaza started when Hamas carried out the deadly cross-border attack on October 7, 2023. The assault left 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 hostages. More than 46,000 have been killed and millions displaced during the war that has drawn factions from across the Middle East to join Iran, Hezbollah, and armed groups from Yemen and Iraq. Gaza's infrastructure is reduced to rubble and the humanitarian disaster is at record levels.

Diplomatic initiatives

The international community's efforts at mediating the situation include:
The ceasefire agreement was brokered by Qatar and the United States. However, it was finalized with last-minute obstacles. Prime Minister Netanyahu blamed the delays on complications imposed by Hamas, which the group denied. Nevertheless, the approval of the deal signals a possible lull in hostilities, even as Israeli airstrikes continue in Gaza.

The deal is considered a critical opportunity to de-escalate violence and pave the way for longer-term solutions in the enduring Israel-Palestine conflict. Nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza, underscoring the urgency of further negotiations.