Israel Security Cabinet Clears Ceasefire, Hostage-Release Vote Expected Soon

The Israeli security cabinet has concluded a meeting to approve the ceasefire and hostage-release phase of the US-backed plan to end the Gaza war, an office of one of the attendees confirmed to The Times of Israel.

The full cabinet is now set to convene for a vote on the agreement, which is expected to pass with a strong majority.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir’s demand to veto the release of certain Palestinian security prisoners, including convicted terrorists, delayed the security cabinet meeting on the ceasefire deal and pushed back the full cabinet vote, according to the Kan public broadcaster.

The security cabinet adjourned shortly before the general cabinet, initially scheduled for 6 p.m., was postponed for over three hours. This further delayed approval of the agreement intended to secure the return of the remaining 48 hostages held by Gaza terror organizations, 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

Israel is due to release 250 Palestinian security prisoners serving life sentences, plus another 1,700 Gazans imprisoned since Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attack.

Unlike Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who announced he would vote against the deal, Ben Gvir has not publicly indicated his position. However, the Otzma Yehudit leader has previously threatened to leave the government if Hamas “continues to exist” after the hostages are freed and left the government over a ceasefire earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas’ chief negotiator on the ceasefire, delivered his first public statement since the agreement, confirming its terms and noting US assurances that the conflict would end.

“We acted responsibly in relation to [US President Donald] Trump’s plan,” he said. “Today we announce an agreement to end the war, [see Israel] withdraw from the Strip and carry out a prisoner exchange.”

He added, “We received guarantees from the mediators and the Americans that the war has ended indefinitely.”

The later stages of the agreement, including Hamas disarmament and Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza, remain under negotiation. However, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar said Israel is not preparing to resume military operations.