Israel and Hamas agree to a ceasefire and hostage deal.

Gaza Ceasefire – (Special Correspondent / Web Desk) – Israel’s government has officially approved a ceasefire deal with Hamas. The agreement was signed early Friday, setting a plan to stop the fighting in Gaza. The first major step is a pause in the war, which should begin within a day.

This deal will also lead to the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The hostages are expected to be freed within three days after the fighting stops. In exchange, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners from its jails. The agreement follows a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trump to end the two-year conflict.

Israel’s Prime Minister confirmed the government approved the plan to bring all the hostages home. This includes those who are still alive and those who have died.

The long war had left Israel feeling alone in the world and caused unrest across the Middle East. It even strained the relationship between the US and Israel, with President Trump pushing for a deal to be made.

People on both sides celebrated the news. This is the biggest move yet to end a war that has taken over 67,000 Palestinian lives. It also promises to bring back the hostages taken by Hamas in the attacks that started the conflict.

A senior Hamas leader said he received promises from the US and other peace brokers that the war is finally over.

An Israeli official stated the ceasefire will start within 24 hours of the deal’s approval. After that initial day, the hostages in Gaza should be released within the next 72 hours.

Currently, twenty Israeli hostages in Gaza are believed to be alive. Twenty-six others are presumed to have died, and the status of two people is still unknown. Hamas has said that returning the bodies of those who died might take more time.

Once the deal is active, more aid trucks will quickly enter Gaza. They will carry food and medicine for civilians. Many of these people have been living in tents after their homes and neighborhoods were destroyed.

While this is a major step, some issues still need to be worked out. The list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed is not yet finished. Hamas wants some of the most well-known prisoners to be released.

Later parts of Trump’s peace plan have not even been discussed. These include who will govern Gaza after the war and what will happen to Hamas.

Inside Israel, the Prime Minister faces criticism from his own government. Some of his allies are strongly against making any deal with Hamas and could try to leave his governing group.

Despite these challenges, the news of the ceasefire and the hostages’ return was met with great joy.

“Thank God for the ceasefire and the end of this bloodshed,” said one man in southern Gaza. “Everyone in Gaza is happy; all the people are happy that the killing has stopped.”

In Israel, the mother of a hostage expressed her overwhelming relief. “I can’t breathe; I can’t explain what I’m feeling,” she said at a gathering place for families.

In Gaza, Israeli attacks continued just before the ceasefire was to start, but far fewer people were killed than in recent weeks.

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President Trump said he will travel to the region on Sunday, possibly for a signing ceremony in Egypt. He has also been invited to speak to Israel’s parliament.

The deal has been supported by many Arab and Western nations. It is seen as a major diplomatic success for President Trump.

Western and Arab countries are already meeting to plan for Gaza’s future. They are discussing an international peacekeeping force and how to help rebuild the territory.

The United States plans to send 200 troops to be part of a joint task force focused on stability in Gaza. American officials said these troops will not be physically inside Gaza itself. The force will also include representatives from countries like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.

The war began after Hamas militants attacked Israeli towns on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. Israel’s military response in Gaza has led to the deaths of more than 67,000 Palestinians.