Despite Opposition from Ministers Ben-Gvir and Smotrich, Gaza Ceasefire Agreement Approved
Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Prisoner Swap Amid Political Divisions and Continued Tensions
Watan-The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced that the Ministerial Committee for Political and Security Affairs (the Cabinet) approved the ceasefire agreement in Gaza and the prisoner exchange during its meeting today, Friday. It recommended that the government, which is expected to convene in full immediately, ratify the agreement, with preparations underway for implementation starting Sunday.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stated, “After studying all political, security, and humanitarian aspects, and recognizing that the proposed deal supports achieving the objectives of the war, the Ministerial Committee for National Security Affairs (the Cabinet) recommended that the government approve the proposed plan.”
Israeli Channel 12 reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich—opponents of ending the war on Gaza—voted against the agreement, but this did not prevent its approval.
The government is expected to ratify the agreement without obstacles, as it enjoys the approval of the majority of members. However, Israeli reports indicated that the meeting could extend for long hours until Saturday.
Meanwhile, Israeli media cited sources stating that the release of the first group of Israeli prisoners held in Gaza could begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.
The families of Israeli prisoners demanded that the government not wait 16 days, as stipulated by the agreement, to begin negotiations for the second phase. They called on Israelis to take to the streets now to protest and demand the implementation of all stages of the agreement.
Hamas Condemns Massacres
On the other hand, the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) confirmed early Friday morning that obstacles caused by “the occupation’s failure to adhere to the terms of the ceasefire agreement” had been resolved.
In a statement signed by Zaher Jabarin, head of Hamas’s Martyrs and Prisoners Office, the movement said, “We confirm that the lists of our prisoners to be released in the first phase of the exchange deal under the ceasefire agreement will be published by the Prisoners Office in accordance with the phases and procedures of the exchange.”
The movement reiterated its “salute to our people in Gaza and their resilience, which, after God, was the primary factor in completing this deal.”
In another statement, Hamas accused the Israeli occupation of deliberately committing horrific massacres in Gaza after the ceasefire announcement, leading to the death of more than 100 Palestinians.
The movement added, “The criminal occupation is intentionally committing these massacres in an attempt to undermine the ceasefire agreement, placing responsibility on the mediators to pressure war criminal Netanyahu and his extremist fascist government to stop these massacres.”
On Wednesday evening, Doha announced the success of Qatari, Egyptian, and American mediation in reaching a ceasefire agreement in Gaza between Hamas and Israel, with the terms set to begin implementation on Sunday.
In addition to the ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli occupation forces from Gaza, the agreement stipulates that the Palestinian resistance will release 33 Israeli prisoners from Gaza—both living individuals and bodies—in exchange for the release of approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, including about 300 serving life sentences.
