The Israeli government announced on Sunday that it had reached a deal with Hamas to release at least 50 Israeli abductees in exchange for a four-day halt in hostilities.
The agreement, which was approved by the cabinet in a video conference, also includes the release of 150 Palestinian women and minors from Israeli prisons, as well as the delivery of fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The deal comes after more than two weeks of intense fighting that has killed over 300 people, mostly Palestinians, and displaced tens of thousands more. The war was sparked by a Hamas attack on a bus carrying Israeli soldiers near the Gaza border, in which 17 soldiers and three civilians were kidnapped.
The Israeli government said in a statement that it was committed to bringing all the abductees home and that it would continue the war to eliminate Hamas and ensure that Gaza does not pose any threat to Israel.
Hamas, the Islamist group that rules Gaza, welcomed the “humanitarian truce” and said that it was a result of its “resistance” and “determination” to serve its people. It also warned that it would resume its attacks if Israel violated the ceasefire.
The ceasefire is expected to begin on Monday at 6 a.m. local time and last until Thursday at 6 p.m., unless extended by mutual consent. During this period, Israel will stop its aerial and ground operations in Gaza, except for defensive actions, and Hamas will stop firing rockets and mortars at Israel.
The deal was mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations, which have been trying to broker a lasting peace between the two sides. The UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised the agreement as a “positive step” and urged both parties to abide by it and resume negotiations for a comprehensive solution.
The international community has also welcomed the ceasefire and expressed hope that it would lead to an end to the violence and suffering. The US President Joe Biden said that he was “encouraged” by the deal and that he would continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself and the Palestinians’ right to live in dignity and security.
The deal, however, faces many challenges and uncertainties, as both sides have different expectations and demands for a permanent settlement. Israel wants Hamas to disarm and renounce violence, while Hamas wants Israel to lift its blockade on Gaza and recognize its legitimacy. The fate of the remaining abductees, as well as the reconstruction of Gaza, are also major issues that need to be addressed.
The ceasefire also comes amid a political crisis in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing corruption charges and a possible loss of power. His rivals have accused him of mishandling the war and using it as a distraction from his legal troubles. Netanyahu, however, has defended his actions and claimed that he had achieved “unprecedented” results against Hamas.
The war has also sparked protests and clashes between Jews and Arabs within Israel, as well as solidarity demonstrations and condemnations around the world. The UN Human Rights Council has launched an investigation into possible war crimes committed by both sides, which Israel has rejected as biased and unfair.
The conflict is the latest in a long history of violence and animosity between Israel and the Palestinians, who have been locked in a decades-old struggle over land, rights and identity. Despite several attempts at peace, the two sides have failed to reach a lasting agreement that would end the cycle of bloodshed and hatred.
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