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Israel approves Gaza ceasefire and hostage release plan

US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner joined Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several other Israeli officials at an Israeli cabinet meeting on a Gaza ceasefire. (Photo/ Israel Gov Press Office)

The ceasefire agreement includes several key provisions, such as the release of all remaining Israeli hostages held in Gaza within 72 hours, while in exchange, Israel will free approximately 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, primarily women and children.

Tel Aviv, Israel: The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire resolution with Hamas, marking a pivotal step toward ending the prolonged conflict in Gaza. The resolution, ratified by Israel’s security cabinet on Thursday, October 09, follows a U.S.-brokered agreement and is set to take effect within 24 hours.

Additionally, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will reposition their forces to a mutually agreed line within Gaza, a process expected to be completed in less than 24 hours, and also, the Rafah border crossing will reopen to allow the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, operating under the oversight of the Palestinian Authority and the European Union.

US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff praised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decisions during the war, saying his actions pressured Hamas into striking a ceasefire deal.

“Prime Minister Netanyahu made some very, very difficult calls, and lesser people would not have made those calls. And here we are today, because Hamas had to. They had to do this deal. The pressure was on them,” Witkoff said during the opening remarks of an Israeli government meeting on the proposed ceasefire plan, which he and Kushner attended.

Kushner also praised the prime minister, saying he did a “great job in negotiations” and held his lines firm.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, thanked both men for their efforts to reach this point. “I think you put in your brains and your hearts, and we know that it’s for the benefit of Israel and the United States, for the benefit of decent people everywhere, and for the benefit of these families, who will finally get to be with their loved ones,” he said.

The agreement has, however, been met with cautious optimism internationally, with support from both Western and Arab nations. However, challenges remain, including the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a sustainable governance framework for Gaza.

As the ceasefire takes effect, the international community watches closely, hopeful that this development will pave the way for lasting peace in the region.

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