Israel Approves Trump's Plan for Gaza Ceasefire and Hostage Release
Israel's government has approved the first phase of US President Donald Trump's plan for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza. The decision was made by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet, paving the way for a potential end to the two-year-long conflict between Israel and Hamas.
The agreement includes several key provisions. Israel and Hamas will implement a ceasefire, with Israel withdrawing its troops to an agreed-upon line. Hamas will release all living hostages, with some 20 hostages expected to be released within 72 hours of the ceasefire's start. In exchange, Israel will free nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, marking one of the most significant prisoner exchanges since the conflict began.
The US will play a key role in monitoring the ceasefire, with 200 US troops sent to the Middle East to support and monitor the plan's implementation. However, these troops will not enter Gaza.
The deal is seen as a significant foreign policy achievement for President Trump, who had campaigned on bringing peace to major world conflicts. However, the agreement still faces challenges, with Hamas insisting that a formal declaration ending the war in Gaza must be made before hostages are released.
The conflict began over two years ago with the October 7 attacks that resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 people and the capture of 251 hostages. Israel's response has resulted in a large number of casualties in the region, including over 67,000 Palestinians, prompting frequent calls for a ceasefire.
Credit - BBC News
