JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday that a deal has been reached to release hostages held in Gaza and to implement a ceasefire, following intense negotiations between Israeli and Hamas teams in Qatar, Israeli media reported.
The Times of Israel quoted a statement from Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as saying the Israeli prime minister had convened a security cabinet meeting for Friday to hold a vote on the deal, with a full cabinet session to follow for official approval. Netanyahu was informed by the Israeli negotiating team that the deal had been successfully concluded, and he thanked them for their efforts.
The deal, which marks a significant step toward ending the 15-month-long conflict, will see the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the families of the remaining 98 hostages had been updated and preparations are underway for their return.
“The (full cabinet) will later convene to approve the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said in its statement, adding that Netanyahu had expressed his gratitude to the negotiating team, who had informed him about the deal’s completion.
Netanyahu’s office added: "The state of Israel is committed to achieving all the goals of the war, including the return of all our hostages, both the living and the dead."
The agreement, announced by mediators on Wednesday -- Qatar, the US, and Egypt -- will lead to the phased release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and also see a pause in fighting in Gaza.
Despite the breakthrough, the approval process has faced some delays. Initially, Netanyahu’s office had signalled concerns over last-minute snags in the negotiations, accusing Hamas of reneging on parts of the deal.
The release of the first group of hostages, initially scheduled for Sunday, is now expected to occur on Monday, following the delay in cabinet approval. The vote within the Israeli government is expected to be contentious, with reports suggesting that some members of Netanyahu’s coalition government may oppose the deal, potentially threatening to resign.
In an online statement, Gift of the Givers Founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said: “What a humiliating defeat for the fourth largest army backed by the richest nations on earth with finance, weapons, disinformation and lies, and yet with all that might, tanks, fighter aircraft, drones, 2000LB bombs, occupation, siege, cutting off water, food, electricity, medical supplies, murdering, kidnapping, imprisoning, torturing doctors and health care workers, targeting humanitarian aid workers and journalists, they failed.
“They thought they were invincible, unmatched, unparalleled, untouchable, acting with impunity, exhibiting the worst form of arrogance and hubris, they failed. Their racism, apartheid, occupation, inhumanity, evil, terrorism and genocidal conduct made manifest to the entire universe. With their paid and controlled media and journalists they thought they would control the narrative but 76 years later, they failed.”
He added: “They claimed that they are the most moral army (an insult to the term), their conduct was nothing short of dishonourable, barbaric and cowardly, what bravery and bravado does it take to murder babies, teenagers, unarmed civilians, the physically and mentally challenged and the elderly. Bravo Israel, bravo, what men you are but you have failed yet again.
“As you turn homewards with your tail between your legs, facing an epidemic of mental illness, you will know deep within you that in spite of your grandiose celebrations, you have failed monumentally. Not a government, not an army, not sophisticated advanced destructive weapons, not unlimited financial and material resources, but an unarmed nation trapped in the largest open-air prison in the world defeated you with Faith and Sumud (Resilience).”
Durban lawyer Saber Jazbhay asked: “What 'breakthrough' when the cause celebrè is not in the details. Those 44 000 martyrs, those 156 000 wounded? It's not a breakthrough. Media celebrates 'a breakthrough in Gaza'. Really?”
Saydoon Nisa Sayed, co-founder of KZN Palestine Solidarity Forum and the SA Palestine Movement, said: "We welcome the news of a ceasefire in Gaza. After more than a year of death, destruction, violence, bloodshed abductions, etc, this is a crucial step toward peace. Let's keep advocating for the rights, dignity, and return of the Palestinian people. The people of Gaza deserve peace, justice, and freedom. Let's pray for permanent, lasting peace and an end to the suffering. Let's keep pushing for a just and lasting resolution. All needs of the Palestinians must be taken care of, immediate and sustained flow of medical, humanitarian aid, and all necessary needs.”
She said Israel could not be trusted, they were “famous for violating ceasefires”.
“Global citizens and activists must be vigilant at all times to see that the ceasefire works,” she added.