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israeli’s wardrobe President Donald Trump’s ceasefire plan was approved early Friday. Gaza Strip And the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas is an important step toward ending the devastating two-year war that has destabilized the Middle East.
A brief statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Cabinet had approved the “outlines” of a deal to release the hostages, without mentioning other aspects of the plan that are more controversial.
The comprehensive ceasefire plan included many unanswered questions, such as whether and how Hamas would disarm and who would rule Gaza. But both sides appear closer than they have in months to ending a war that has killed thousands of Palestinians, reduced much of Gaza to rubble, brought famine to parts of the territory and left dozens of hostages, alive and dead, in Gaza.
The war, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has also sparked other conflicts in the region, sparking protests around the world and accusations of genocide, which Israel denies.
The Hamas-led attack killed about 1,200 people and took 251 hostages. Israel’s ensuing offensive has killed more than 67,000 Palestinians in Gaza and wounded nearly 170,000, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not distinguish between civilians and combatants but says about half of the dead were women and children.
in the hours leading up to Israel Cabinet votes, Israeli attacks continue. Explosions were seen in northern Gaza on Thursday and an attack on a building in Gaza City killed at least two people and trapped more than 40 people under debris, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense.
Gaza’s health ministry said at least 11 dead Palestinians and another 49 injured arrived at hospitals in the past 24 hours.
An Israeli military official, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with military guidelines, said Israel was targeting targets that pose a threat to its troops as they retreat. Hamas criticized Israel for the attack, saying Netanyahu was trying to “subvert and confuse” efforts by mediators to end the war in Gaza.
A senior Hamas official and chief negotiator gave a speech on Thursday in which he said the main elements of the ceasefire agreement were: Israel releasing about 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, opening border crossings with Egypt, allowing aid flows and allowing withdrawals from Gaza.
Khalil al-Haya said that all women and children held in Israeli prisons would also be released. He did not provide details about the extent of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza.
Al-Haya said the Trump administration and mediators have assured that the war is over, and that Hamas and other Palestinian factions will now focus on achieving self-determination and establishing a Palestinian state.
“We announce today that we have reached an agreement to end the war and aggression against our people,” al-Hayya said in a televised speech Thursday evening.
In other developments, US officials announced they would send about 200 troops to Israel to help support and monitor the ceasefire agreement as part of a broader, international team. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the details because they were not authorized to release them.
vigil celebration
In the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, reactions to the ceasefire announcement were relatively subdued and often tinged with sadness.
Mohammed al-Farra said, “I am happy and sad. We have lost a lot of people and lost loved ones, friends and family. We have lost our homes.” “Despite our joy, we can’t help but wonder what will happen next. … The areas we are returning to, or intend to return to, are no longer habitable.”
In Tel Aviv, families of remaining hostages drank champagne and cried tears of joy after Trump announced the deal.
Sharon Cannot celebrated with a few others in Jerusalem on Thursday.
“We’re so excited this morning. We’ve been crying all morning,” he said. “It’s been two years since we’ve been scared.”
Under the terms, Hamas intends to release all surviving hostages within a few days, while Israeli forces will begin a withdrawal from much of Gaza, people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details of the agreement that have not been fully made public. Of the 48 hostages still held, about 20 are believed to be alive.
In a short video posted by US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, Trump was seen speaking on the phone to a group of excited hostage families.
“They’re all coming back on Monday,” said Trump, who is expected to visit the region in the coming days.
U.N. humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher told reporters Thursday that authorities have 170,000 metric tons of medicine, aid and other supplies ready to transport into Gaza if given the go-ahead.
How will the deal unfold?
The agreement, which was expected to be signed in Egypt, will include a list of prisoners to be released and maps of the first phase of Israel’s withdrawal to new positions in Gaza, according to two Egyptian officials, a Hamas official and another official briefed on the talks.
Israel will publish a list of prisoners and victims of their attacks will have 24 hours to lodge objections.
The withdrawal could begin by Thursday evening, the officials said, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the talks. Egyptian and Hamas officials said the release of hostages and prisoners was expected to begin on Monday, although another official said it could take until Sunday night.
Egyptian and Hamas officials said five border crossings between Gaza and Egypt, including the Rafah crossing, would reopen.
Trump’s plan calls for Israel to maintain an open military presence inside Gaza, along its border with Israel. An international force, consisting largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, will be responsible for security inside Gaza. The US will lead a massive internationally funded reconstruction effort.
The plan also envisions an eventual role for the Palestinian Authority – which Netanyahu has long opposed. But it requires the authority, which administers parts of the West Bank, to undergo a comprehensive reform program that could take years.
Trump’s plan is even more vague regarding a future Palestinian state, which Netanyahu strongly rejects.
What’s next for Netanyahu?
The coming days could be politically difficult for Netanyahu, who is facing a corruption trial over his involvement in the Gaza war.
His hold on power has depended largely on the support of hardline, far-right coalition partners, who have urged him to continue operations against Hamas until the group’s demise.
But Trump suggested on Thursday that the ceasefire and hostage deal had strengthened Netanyahu’s political position.
“He’s more popular today than he was five days ago,” Trump said. “I can tell you right now, people shouldn’t be running against him. Five days ago, it probably wouldn’t have been a bad idea.”
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Lidman reported from Tel Aviv, Israel, and Shurafa reported from Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip. Associated Press writers Eric Tucker, Aamer Madhani and Seung Min Kim in Washington; Sara El Deeb, Bassem Maroué and Abby Sewell in Beirut; David Rising in Bangkok; Sam Mednick in Tel Aviv, Israel; Suzanne Fraser in Ankara, Türkiye; Fay Abuelgasim in Cairo; and Giovanna Dell’Orto in Jerusalem contributed to this report.