Israel's Cabinet Moves to Approve Ceasefire Deal with Hamas

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Israel's security cabinet has recommended the approval of a ceasefire deal following Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's announcement that an agreement has been reached to pause the ongoing conflict with Hamas and secure the release of hostages. The ceasefire, announced by mediators from Qatar and the U.S., aims to halt hostilities that have persisted for 15 months.

The deal, which includes the release of approximately 33 hostages in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israel, will now go before the full cabinet for final approval. If sanctioned, the ceasefire could commence as early as Sunday. However, Netanyahu faces stiff opposition from some coalition partners who are wary of the terms of the agreement, potentially threatening the stability of his government.

Since the conflict began following a lethal cross-border attack by Hamas in October 2023, fatalities have reached over 46,000 Palestinians, according to health officials, while around 1,200 Israelis have died. The war has not only caused extensive loss of life but has also destabilized the region and triggered worldwide protests.

The first phase of the hostages' release is to be negotiated alongside the implementation of the ceasefire, while more challenging discussions regarding the remaining captives and the future governance of Gaza are expected to follow.

Both Hamas and Israeli officials confirmed that previous last-minute issues regarding the list of prisoners have been resolved, paving the way for the deal to move forward. Officials from Egypt and Israel are also expected to discuss reopening critical border crossings during this time.

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