Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire deal

Pause in fighting set to begin on Sunday after months of negotiations

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Israel's cabinet approved the ceasefire agreement with Hamas on Saturday, allowing for a pause in fighting to begin in Gaza after a year of painstaking negotiations.

The deal is the second ceasefire in 15 months of a war that has devastated the enclave and left more than 46,700 Palestinians dead. The war began in October 2023 when a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people, with militants taking about 240 people hostage.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal had been ratified. "The government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages' release will come into effect on Sunday," it said.

Israeli media reported that 24 ministers voted in favour, and eight were against, after about six hours of discussions.

The cabinet had been scheduled to meet on Thursday, but that meeting was postponed amid last-minute wrangling over the deal. Mr Netanyahu accused Hamas of "backing out of the explicit understandings" agreed on with mediators.

Hamas denied the claims, with senior official Izzat Al Rashq saying the group was committed to the deal.

Israel's 11-member security cabinet recommended the government approve the ceasefire plan, after which the full cabinet met to deliberate.

Palestinians celebrate the announcement of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Deir Al Balah. AP

Qatar’s Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman addresses a press conference at the Diwan Annex in Doha. AFP

Palestinians watch TV as they await the imminent announcement of a ceasefire deal between Hamas and Israel in Khan Younis. AP

Family members of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza and their supporters react to ceasefire reports in Tel Aviv. EPA

Tunisians wave Palestinian flags as they react to news of a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, in Tunis. EPA

People pass by the Fox News ticker as it announces the Israel and Hamas ceasefire deal at the News Corp and WSJ headquarters in New York. Reuters

President Joe Biden addresses the ceasefire deal as Vice President Kamala Harris and Secretary of State Antony Blinken look on, in Washington DC. EPA

Palestinian supporters celebrate news of a ceasefire with Israel, in Berlin, Germany. Reuters

The ceasefire, brokered through months of indirect negotiations led by the US, Egypt and Qatar, comprises three phases, with the first allowing for an exchange of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and Palestinians detained in Israel.

Under the ceasefire terms, Hamas will release 33 hostages, including children, the elderly, the sick, and women soldiers, in the initial phase of the agreement. US President Joe Biden said American hostages will be included in the release.

In return, Israel will free 1,000 Palestinian detainees apprehended in October 2023 who were not involved in the Hamas attack on Israel.

The first phase of the ceasefire will bring a six-week halt in fighting and open negotiations aimed at ending the war altogether.

On the 16th day of the ceasefire's implementation, discussions will begin on the next stage, which will include releasing the remaining hostages. The third stage of the deal focuses on returning the remains of deceased hostages and the reconstruction of Gaza, supervised by Egypt, Qatar and the UN, with Israel expected to fully withdraw from the Palestinian territory.

Mr Netanyahu faces domestic political opposition to the deal, with far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatening to pull out of a coalition government if the ceasefire goes ahead. The initial announcement of the agreement on Wednesday saw protests with far-right demonstrators claiming it would prevent further expansion of Israeli settlements in Gaza.