After days of intense anticipation throughout Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced overnight that the agreement for the return of hostages and implementation of a ceasefire has been officially signed. The deal's details will be presented to the Diplomatic-Security Cabinet on Friday, followed by a full ministerial meeting of the entire cabinet to approve the agreement.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu received confirmation from the negotiating team that agreements were reached on a hostage release deal," the Prime Minister's Office announced. "The Hostages, Missing Persons and Returnees Administration in the Prime Minister's Office recently updated the hostages' families about the achieved agreements. The prime minister has also directed the coordinator for captives and missing persons to prepare for the hostages' return home. The State of Israel remains committed to achieving all war objectives, including the return of all our hostages – both living and deceased."
Despite National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir's threats that he and his party members would exit the government if the deal received approval, the agreement was officially signed overnight.
Speaking at the National Security Ministry in Jerusalem, Ben-Gvir denounced the emerging deal as "reckless," arguing it includes releasing hundreds of terrorists, allowing thousands of Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, and withdrawing from the Philadelphi Corridor. He claimed the deal "will erase the war's achievements" and "determines the fate of the remaining hostages." Responding to the withdrawal announcement, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid declared he would provide the government with a "safety net" for approving the deal, telling Netanyahu: "This transcends any disagreements we've ever had."
On Thursday, both Israel and Hamas approved the agreement's framework, but the specific details were not presented to the ministers – this followed the terrorist organization's demands regarding the release of serious terrorists that were not part of the original negotiations. A diplomatic source indicated that Netanyahu was adamant that all deal details must be finalized before seeking cabinet approval.
When reports emerged that the government meeting would be delayed until Saturday, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum released a statement saying that "for the 98 female and male hostages, every night means another night of horrific nightmare. Don't delay their return even one more night. We urge the decision-makers – set aside other matters, bring everyone home with absolute urgency."
The father of captured lookout Liri Albag addressed the delay in a letter to government ministers. "Another postponement in approving the agreement means, first and foremost, an additional unnecessary day for our daughters in their prison hell," Albag wrote, warning that the delay could pose a real danger to the hostages – a vulnerability Hamas might exploit. "On behalf of all families, I implore you to begin releasing the hostages, from the first to the very last."
Following both sides' approval of the complex three-phase deal, the mediating parties – Qatar, Egypt, and the US – announced Friday their commitment to facilitate the implementation of all three stages and ensure both Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas fulfill their obligations.
The deal's details, revealed yesterday in Arab media, outline seven comprehensive sections that define the mechanism for releasing hostages and prisoners, IDF withdrawal procedures, and humanitarian aid arrangements. The first phase involves releasing 33 hostages in multiple stages, including women, female civilians and soldiers, children, elderly men over 50, and those with medical or humanitarian needs. Political sources indicate that most of the 33 hostages on the release list are believed to be alive, though Hamas has not yet confirmed the condition of those set for release – specifically, who among them remains alive and who has not survived.
Earlier this week, Reuters news agency reported that second-phase negotiations would commence on the agreement's 16th day. This phase, according to the report, will address the release of remaining hostages, including captured soldiers.
