Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday that a deal to release hostages held in Gaza has been finalised. The agreement, delayed by last-minute disputes, will be submitted to Israel’s security Cabinet and government for approval. This follows 15 months of intense fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The agreement seeks to exchange Palestinian inmates imprisoned in Israel for the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas. A temporary ceasefire in Gaza is also part of it, enabling the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes. Israel is still dedicated to its war objectives, including the safe return of all hostages, living and dead, Netanyahu said. On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a massive attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 citizens and capturing more, sparking the start of the current conflict. Israeli airstrikes in retaliation have destroyed Gaza and killed more than 46,000 Palestinians. The Israeli government disputes the accusations of war crimes made by rights organisations. 

The agreement ran into problems, with Netanyahu’s office claiming that Hamas had backed out of certain terms. The disagreements were said to involve the positioning of Israeli forces near Gaza’s border with Egypt, which Hamas denied. However, Izzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas official, stated that the group remained committed to the agreement. In Israel, Prime Minister Netanyahu faced opposition from far-right members of his coalition regarding the ceasefire. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a hardliner, even warned he might quit the government if the deal went through. 

This shows how difficult it is for Netanyahu to keep his coalition united. Violence continues despite the ceasefire's advancement. At least 72 individuals in Gaza were killed by Israeli airstrikes on Thursday. The precarious scenario raises questions about the region's long-term stability while highlighting the urgency of the agreement. The ceasefire deal brings a small ray of hope amid a severe humanitarian crisis, but its success will rely on proper execution and teamwork from all sides.