A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is set to begin at 06:30 local time on Sunday, marking a significant step toward ending one of the deadliest and most destructive conflicts in the region’s history. Under the terms of the deal, 33 Israeli hostages will be released over the next six weeks in exchange for hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
The first phase of the agreement will see the release of three female hostages on Day 1, four more on Day 7, and the remaining 26 over the following five weeks. The Israeli government approved the ceasefire deal early on Saturday, with the Cabinet meeting late into the night, defying the usual Sabbath restrictions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare for the return of the hostages and informed their families that a deal had been reached.
In return, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners—mostly younger individuals and women—will be freed from Israeli prisons. The Israeli justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be released in the first phase, with the release set to start at 4:00 pm local time on Sunday. However, the International Committee of the Red Cross will not be responsible for transporting the prisoners this time; Israel’s Prison Services will handle logistics instead.
The deal also includes a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza, with trucks already lined up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing. An Israeli delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss the reopening of the crossing, which will allow the delivery of supplies into the war-torn region.
Israel’s military will begin a gradual withdrawal from specific areas in Gaza as part of the ceasefire, but residents will not be allowed to return to regions where Israeli forces are stationed or close to the Israel-Gaza border. Any threat to Israeli forces will prompt a forceful response. Hamas has insisted on a full Israeli withdrawal before agreeing to release the remaining hostages, while Israel has pledged to continue its fight until Hamas is dismantled and security control over Gaza is ensured.
