Israel’s Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release Plan

Israel’s cabinet has approved a ceasefire and hostage release plan, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the government has endorsed the framework for the release of all hostages, both living and deceased. A ceasefire is set to take effect within 24 hours, with Israeli troops beginning their withdrawal to an agreed-upon line. Hostages are expected to be released within 72 hours, returning on Monday or Tuesday. In parallel, Israel will free 250 Palestinians serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since 7 October. A joint task force, potentially including soldiers from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, will oversee the ceasefire under US Central Command, which will also coordinate the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Palestinians in Gaza have responded with relief and celebration to the announcement. Al Jazeera reported jubilant scenes in Khan Younis, with residents taking to the streets in joy. In Tel Aviv, hundreds gathered in Hostages’ Square to commemorate the event, with former British-Israeli hostage Emily Damari capturing the moment on video and reflecting on how captivity transformed her life in an article for The Times.

As of 7 October 2025, over 70,100 individuals—68,172 Palestinians and 1,983 Israelis—have been reported killed in the Gaza war, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry and the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, 217 journalists, 120 academics, and more than 224 humanitarian aid workers, including 179 UNRWA employees, have lost their lives. A United Nations Human Rights Office (OHCHR) study revealed that 70 percent of the Palestinians killed in residential areas were women and children. The Red Cross has warned that Gaza is facing a catastrophic humanitarian crisis, with 2.1 million people at risk of extreme hunger, 470,000 facing starvation, and the health system in ruins. Critical infrastructure, including electricity, clean water, sanitation, and healthcare, has been severely damaged.

Christian aid organization Tearfund has expressed cautious optimism about the peace agreement but emphasized the urgent need for a lasting ceasefire and unrestricted aid access to Gaza. The organization stated that without immediate and large-scale humanitarian assistance, more lives will be lost. Tearfund called for aid to be delivered through experienced, principled agencies rather than military-controlled channels, such as the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation. Its partner organizations are prepared to scale up efforts swiftly to address the dire situation.

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