A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, aimed at ending hostilities in Gaza and securing the release of hostages, was officially signed in Doha, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Friday. The announcement came after Netanyahu had earlier cited a last-minute dispute with Hamas as the reason for a delay in Israel's approval of the deal.

Netanyahu stated that the security cabinet would convene later in the day to discuss and approve the agreement. The deal includes the release of dozens of Israeli hostages and a temporary halt to the fighting in Gaza.

“The State of Israel remains committed to all objectives of this war, including the return of all our hostages—both alive and deceased,” said a statement from Netanyahu’s office, as reported by The Times of Israel. He also revealed that a special task force was being prepared to facilitate the return of hostages and that their families had been informed of the deal’s progress.

The negotiations unfolded amid continued violence, with Israeli airstrikes on Thursday claiming at least 72 lives in Gaza, according to local health officials.

Political Resistance to the Ceasefire

The ceasefire agreement has faced opposition within Netanyahu’s far-right coalition. On Thursday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened to resign if the ceasefire was approved, though he has not issued a response following Netanyahu’s latest announcement.

Background to the Conflict

The deal marks a significant pause in a conflict that has spanned over 15 months, destabilizing the region and igniting protests worldwide. The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a cross-border attack into Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and taking 250 hostages.

In response, Israel launched an offensive that, according to local health officials in Gaza, has resulted in the deaths of over 46,000 Palestinians. Women and children are reported to account for more than half of the casualties.

The ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for de-escalation in a conflict that has deeply affected lives on both sides of the border.