In a key step towards ending the 15-month-long conflict in Gaza, the Israeli government approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas on Saturday. The ceasefire, set to commence on Sunday, January 19, includes a framework for a series of hostage exchanges.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the Israeli cabinet endorsed the agreement after over six hours of discussions. The deal involves a six-week truce as part of a three-phase plan to release hostages and prisoners mutually. Although some hardline ministers opposed the agreement, it was supported by 24 members of Netanyahu's cabinet.

Before the cabinet’s approval, the Israeli security cabinet had already consented to the agreement on Friday, fulfilling the requirement for two rounds of approval.

Under the terms of the deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50 years old. In return, Israel will free all Palestinian women and minors under the age of 19 currently held in Israeli detention facilities.

The prolonged conflict in Gaza has devastated the region, with over 46,000 fatalities and millions displaced. The violence has also drawn involvement from other Middle Eastern groups, such as Iran, Hezbollah, and armed factions from Yemen and Iraq. Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes, the agreement offers a glimmer of hope for reduced hostilities.

The ceasefire deal, reached on Wednesday through mediation by Qatar and the United States, faced a temporary delay. Prime Minister Netanyahu attributed the postponement to last-minute complications he claimed were caused by Hamas, though the militant group denied these allegations.

This war is rooted in the broader Israel-Palestine conflict but escalated sharply on October 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted a cross-border attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Currently, nearly 100 hostages remain in Gaza.