The Israeli government has sanctioned the initial phase of a Gaza agreement that aims to establish a ceasefire and facilitate the release of hostages and prisoners.
“The government has just now approved the framework for the release of all of the hostages – the living and the deceased,” stated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on X early on Friday.
The Israeli military will subsequently withdraw to a position that will allow it to maintain control over approximately 53% of Gaza.
Hamas is then required to release 20 living hostages within a 72-hour timeframe, followed by the return of the remains of 28 deceased hostages.
In return, Israel will release around 250 Palestinian prisoners who are serving life sentences, along with 1,700 detainees from Gaza, according to a Palestinian source.
Hundreds of aid trucks are set to deliver food, medicine, and fuel to the two million residents of Gaza, the majority of whom have been displaced, according to the UN. Many are currently taking refuge in tents or the debris of destroyed cities.
Israel has agreed to permit 400 aid trucks to enter Gaza each day for the first five days, with plans for a gradual increase in the number during subsequent phases, as reported by a senior Palestinian official.
The United States is relocating up to 200 troops already stationed in the Middle East to Israel to help coordinate a multinational force tasked with monitoring the ceasefire, as stated by US officials.
This force will include personnel from Arab and Muslim nations such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey, who will observe the ceasefire and report any breaches.
US officials have confirmed that no American troops will enter Gaza. The task force is under the leadership of US Central Command, which is based in the region, and is designed to oversee the implementation of the ceasefire agreement while also assisting in the coordination of humanitarian aid.
