Israeli Cabinet Approves Hostage Release Deal, Limited Cease-fire in Hamas Conflict
The Israeli government approved a critical agreement early Wednesday to secure the release of about 50 hostages, all of them women and children, abducted by Hamas during the October 7 terror attacks and held in Gaza. The far-right Religious Zionism party supported the deal, despite initial opposition, while National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s Otzma Yehudit faction voted against it.
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel and Hamas have committed to a four-day cease-fire. Israel is to release 150 Palestinian security prisoners—all of them teenagers and women. The Israelis released by Hamas will return in groups of 12-13 per day. Following the cabinet’s approval, a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners who could potentially be released was disclosed; none have been convicted of murder.
The deal could potentially be extended to see the release of additional hostages and Palestinian prisoners, at a rate of three prisoners per hostage, with an additional day of cease-fire for every 10 additional hostages released.
The possibility exists that Hamas might independently release foreign nationals, such as Thai citizens, although such actions are not part of the current plan.
In addition to prisoner exchange, the agreement encompasses substantial humanitarian aspects. Israel has consented to increase the flow of humanitarian aid and fuel into Gaza, a region heavily impacted by the ongoing conflict. This move is seen as a crucial step in alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where the war has severely restricted access to essential supplies.
The public now has 24 hours to submit legal petitions to the High Court of Justice against the deal. The releases are slated to commence after the court rules on those petitions.
The Almagor Terror Victims Association announced its intention to file a petition against the deal, citing historical concerns with similar agreements. Despite this, the High Court is expected to uphold the cabinet’s decision, as it has in past cases.
The Israeli Defense Forces, Shin Bet security agency, and Mossad all supported the agreement, which includes conditions such as the identification of hostages held by other terrorist groups in Gaza and a refusal to release Palestinians convicted of murder.
The deal involves complex stages for the release and transfer of hostages, including involvement from the Red Cross and medical checks.
The deal’s intricacies include a six-hour daily window when IDF aerial surveillance over Gaza will cease, although other intelligence-gathering will continue. Palestinians displaced to southern Gaza during the fighting will not be allowed to return north during the cease-fire, as the IDF plans to resume its military campaign once the cease-fire is over.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, during the cabinet meeting, highlighted a clause in the agreement ensuring Red Cross visits to unreleased hostages, including the provision of medical supplies. Netanyahu acknowledged US President Joe Biden’s role in securing better terms for the deal. He emphasized that the entire security establishment backs this agreement, which will enable the IDF to better prepare for the continuation of the war. Netanyahu assured that neither the lives of soldiers nor intelligence gathering would be compromised during the cease-fire period and that the war would continue until all national security goals were met.
