Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement after 15 months of devastating war that has left Gaza – home to 2.3 million Palestinians – in ruins.The deal, which is expected to be implemented in three phases starting on Sunday, was approved by the Hamas group on Wednesday.
An Israeli Cabinet meeting, which was expected to approve it on Thursday, has been delayed. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Hamas for a “last-minute crisis”. Netanyahu’s far-right allies have refused to back the deal.
Al Jazeera’s Hamdah Salhut reporting from Amman said the delay shows the internal political conflict within Netanyahu’s coalition government.
The agreement spread over three months will see a surge in humanitarian aid, gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, and the release of Israeli captives in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The deal, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, also talks about post-war reconstruction efforts in the Palestinian enclave, where more than 60 percent of buildings have been destroyed and damaged in the nonstop Israeli bombardment since October 7, 2023. Advertisement
January 19 (Day 1)
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani announced on Wednesday that the deal will take effect from Sunday, when the first Israeli captives are expected to be released and guns will fall silent.
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum, reporting from Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, said the situation …
