The move follows the Israeli cabinet’s approval of US President Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of all remaining hostages held by Hamas, a key step towards ending the two-year conflict.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed that his cabinet had approved the outline of the deal, while Israeli officials said the ceasefire was expected to take effect immediately and troops to begin withdrawing within 24 hours. But the broader agreement leaves important questions about the disarmament of Hamas and the future governance of Gaza.
The war, which began with Hamas’ deadly attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, has left an estimated 67,000 Palestinians dead and nearly 170,000 injured, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The conflict has also displaced much of Gaza’s population, sparked accusations of genocide, which Israel denies, and sparked global protests. With the new agreement, the two countries appear closer to ending one of the region’s bloodiest wars in decades than at any point in recent months.