Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, announced that a meeting of the security cabinet would be convened to vote on the implementation of a negotiated agreement with Hamas for the release of hostages and a ceasefire.
On the 17th (local time), Israeli media, including the Times of Israel, reported that the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement saying, “Prime Minister Netanyahu has been informed by the negotiating team that an agreement has been reached for the release of hostages.” Consequently, it added, “The cabinet will be convened to approve the agreement.”
The security cabinet meeting is scheduled for that day; however, the full cabinet meeting to formally approve the agreement is expected to take place on the night of the 18th.
Initially, a vote to approve the ceasefire agreement was planned for 11 a.m. on the 16th, but it was postponed after Hamas argued that a portion of the agreement had been nullified at the last minute.
If this ceasefire agreement is implemented, efforts to explore a full cessation of the war are expected to begin. First, Israel and Hamas will halt hostilities for 6 weeks (42 days) and exchange 33 hostages with 1,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Starting on the 16th day of the agreement, discussions will commence on topics including the release of Israeli male soldier hostages, a permanent ceasefire, and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces. In the final stage, issues such as the return of deceased hostages’ bodies and plans for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will be addressed.