The Israeli government has approved the US-brokered deal for a ceasefire and hostage release in Gaza, the first part of Donald Trump’s plan to end the two-year war in the Palestinian territory.
The plan was approved despite strong opposition from far-right parties in Israeli Prime Minister’s Benjamin Netanyahu’s ruling coalition.
The cabinet meeting concluded in the early hours of Friday morning local time. It followed a session of Netanyahu’s security cabinet, a 12-person body that includes defence minister Israel Katz and foreign minister Gideon Sa’ar, which considered the agreement.
The talks included a surprise appearance by Trump administration envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who had travelled to Jerusalem for talks with Netanyahu, but were then invited to give a presentation in front of the full cabinet on the “compelling case” for the deal.
The ceasefire is expected to take effect following approval by the full cabinet.
The first phase of the US president’s peace plan, which he announced late on Wednesday, marks a breakthrough in his push to end a war that has killed tens of thousands of people, devastated Gaza and triggered conflicts across the Middle East.
“We ended the war in Gaza, and really, on a much bigger basis, created peace, and I think it’s going to be a lasting peace, hopefully an everlasting peace,” Trump said on Thursday.
The 48 Israeli hostages — 20 of whom are believed to be alive — are expected to be released in the days after the Israeli government approves the agreement, said people briefed on the situation.
Trump told his cabinet he expects them to be released on Monday or Tuesday. He also said he will visit Egypt, where talks between delegations from Israel and Hamas have been taking place, as well as Israel in the coming days.
Under the terms of the ceasefire plan, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and allow increased aid into Gaza. Israel will also pull its troops back from front lines in the enclave in the first step of a phased redeployment.