Israel Approves Ceasefire with Hamas Amid New Airstrikes in Gaza

Israel has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, following 15 months of intense conflict that has devastated the region and claimed thousands of lives. The U.S.-brokered truce, set to begin at 06:30 GMT on Sunday, aims to halt fighting and initiate a phased exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. Despite the agreement, Israeli forces carried out heavy airstrikes on Gaza on Saturday, leaving at least 123 Palestinians dead since the ceasefire was announced earlier in the week.

The Israeli cabinet approved the deal after an extended six-hour meeting. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the framework, stating, “The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages’ release will come into effect on Sunday.” The first phase of the truce will see the release of 33 Israeli hostages, primarily women, children, and the elderly, in exchange for approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, some convicted of fatal attacks on Israelis.

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Opposition to the deal emerged from hard-liners within Israel’s coalition government. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that the agreement concedes too much to Hamas. Ben-Gvir threatened to resign, while Smotrich warned of quitting if Israel does not resume its offensive against Hamas after the initial six-week phase of the truce. Despite these objections, the agreement secured majority support in the cabinet.

Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued to pound Gaza, targeting what the military described as “terror targets.” Residents reported heavy shelling in Gaza City and southern regions, with medics confirming additional civilian casualties. In a separate development, the Israeli military intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, a move linked to warnings from the Houthi group about violations of the ceasefire.

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The broader regional implications of the ceasefire remain uncertain. The conflict, which began after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has spiraled into wider hostilities involving Iran-backed groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. Israeli strikes have also extended to targets in Syria and Yemen, intensifying regional tensions.

Observers suggest the truce could be a step toward stabilizing the region if successfully implemented. However, with ongoing airstrikes and vocal opposition from within Israel’s government, the path to lasting peace remains fraught with challenges.

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