Hamas is expected to release its first captive under the Gaza ceasefire agreement on Sunday, according to a statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
The ceasefire, if implemented, would halt Israel’s bombing campaign that has devastated the densely populated Gaza Strip, killing over 46,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and displacing much of the enclave’s 2.3 million residents multiple times, as stated by local authorities.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Israeli cabinet would convene today to finalise approval of the deal, despite previous delays attributed to disputes among ministers and concerns over Hamas’s commitment to the agreement.
Intense Israeli airstrikes have continued in Gaza even after the deal was announced. The Civil Emergency Service reported at least 101 Palestinian fatalities, including 58 women and children, since the ceasefire announcement.
Early today, Netanyahu’s office released a statement indicating progress: “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages.”
Hamas has reaffirmed its commitment to the agreement, while the Israeli cabinet’s restricted security meeting and a full cabinet session only ratified the decision early on Saturday morning.
