Netanyahu Announces Deal to Free Hostages and Pause Gaza Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Friday that a deal has been reached to free hostages held in the Gaza Strip, marking a potential breakthrough after delays and last-minute disputes over a ceasefire agreement. Netanyahu’s office had previously reported snags in finalizing the deal, which had raised concerns about the long-term impact on Israel’s coalition government.

The deal, which would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, is set to pause the fighting in Gaza and allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to their homes. Netanyahu stated that he would convene his security Cabinet later on Friday to approve the deal, clearing the way for its implementation.

Israeli airstrikes in Gaza on Thursday resulted in at least 72 fatalities, underscoring the ongoing violence despite the ceasefire discussions. In response to the hostage deal, Netanyahu confirmed that a special task force had been set up to receive the hostages, and their families were informed that the deal had been finalized.

The ceasefire agreement, which had initially been announced as complete by U.S. President Joe Biden and Qatar on Thursday, faced significant resistance from Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to quit the government over the ceasefire, deepening political tensions. There was no immediate comment from Ben-Gvir following Netanyahu’s announcement.

The delays were attributed to a last-minute dispute with Hamas over the deployment of Israeli forces in the Philadelphi corridor, a narrow strip along the border with Egypt. While Israel accused Hamas of making new demands, including on troop deployments, Hamas denied the claims, reaffirming its commitment to the ceasefire.

Egypt, a key mediator in the negotiations, called for the immediate implementation of the ceasefire agreement to avoid further escalation and loss of life. The deal represents a potential turning point in the ongoing 15-month conflict, which has devastated Gaza and strained political relations within Israel.