SATV Kathmandu Oct 10: Israel’s government has approved a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas, paving the way for a suspension of fighting and the release of dozens of Israeli captives. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the cabinet endorsed the plan early Friday, confirming the framework for releasing both living and deceased hostages, Al Jazeera reported.
The decision follows mediated talks that produced an agreement involving the exchange of Israeli captives for Palestinian prisoners. Al Jazeera, the Doha-based news outlet, described the move as a major step toward halting the war that has ravaged Gaza for two years.
According to Al Jazeera, the deal marks the first stage of a broader 20-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. It requires Israel to pull back troops to a designated line within Gaza and begin the release process of 48 Israeli captives within 72 hours. Trump said he hopes to attend a signing ceremony in Egypt early next week. Al Jazeera stated that the plan also envisions reconstruction and long-term stability in Gaza, though many details remain unclear.
Al Jazeera quoted Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian as saying that imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti would not be released as part of the exchange. Bedrosian also claimed Israel would retain control of more than half of Gaza even after troop repositioning.
Trump, meanwhile, asserted that wealthy nations in the region would fund Gaza’s rebuilding, calling it a step toward what he termed “everlasting peace.” The Doha-based network reported that Trump mentioned a second phase involving Hamas’s disarmament and further Israeli withdrawals.
Despite the political breakthrough, Israeli attacks on Gaza continued Thursday. At least 10 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Later, the Palestinian news agency Wafa said four people died in an Israeli strike on Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, raising the day’s death toll to 29. Gaza’s civil defense said dozens remained missing under rubble, Al Jazeera mentioned and added the residents expressed skepticism about the truce as air raids persisted across the enclave.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent Hani Mahmoud, reporting from central Gaza, said people were still witnessing “intense aerial activity,” creating a sense that nothing had been finalized. He noted that the humanitarian situation remains desperate, with aid convoys blocked at the border and widespread hunger in the besieged territory. The Doha-based outlet reported that Hamas condemned what it called Israel’s “massacre” in Sabra, urging mediators and the United States to intervene to stop civilian bombings.
Hamas negotiator Khalil al-Hayya told reporters that U.S. and regional mediators had guaranteed that the deal’s first phase would lead to a permanent end to the war. He said Israel had agreed to release 250 Palestinians serving life sentences, along with 1,700 prisoners from Gaza, including all women and children held in Israeli jails, according to Al Jazeera. Hamas believes this stage could open the door to a wider political settlement if Israel complies.
Al Jazeera’s senior political analyst Marwan Bishara stated that deep divisions persist between Israel and Hamas over the timing of troop withdrawals, the nature of Gaza’s post-war administration, and the future role of Hamas. Bishara noted that phase two of the agreement, still under negotiation, is expected to involve Israel’s full withdrawal, Hamas’s disarmament, and new governance arrangements for Gaza. The Doha-based outlet reported that analysts see these issues as the most contentious and likely to determine whether peace holds.
News of the ceasefire deal sparked cautious optimism internationally. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN is ready to increase aid delivery and help rebuild Gaza. According to Al Jazeera, the deal offers temporary relief for Gaza’s population, which has suffered catastrophic losses—more than 67,000 killed and widespread famine. Reporting from Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum said families were “cheering” after hearing about the ceasefire, hoping for reunions and time to mourn their dead.
Still, analysts warned that the deal’s first phase does not ensure lasting peace. Middle East analyst Omar Baddar told Al Jazeera that the agreement only halts large-scale killings and allows limited humanitarian relief. He cautioned that Israel’s intentions toward Gaza’s reconstruction remain uncertain. The Doha-based news outlet reported that while the ceasefire offers hope, skepticism remains high that the cycle of violence will truly end.
