Key Takeaways:

• Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces a ceasefire deal with Hamas after 15 months of conflict.
• The initial phase includes the release of 33 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
• Intense bombardments continue in Gaza, causing significant casualties even as negotiations progress.
• Netanyahu faces opposition from right-wing coalition partners, threatening the stability of his government.

In a significant development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that Israel has reached a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, aiming to bring an end to the 15-month-long conflict that has devastated Gaza. This announcement came after extensive negotiations, primarily facilitated by U.S., Qatar, and Egypt.

The pending agreement specifies that the release of 33 hostages, which includes women, children, and elderly individuals, will begin if the Israeli cabinet approves the ceasefire. In exchange, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners currently held in Israel will be released. If confirmed by the cabinet, the ceasefire is expected to commence on Sunday.

However, this optimism is tempered by ongoing violence in Gaza. Israeli airstrikes have continued, leading to more than 72 casualties reported over the last couple of days. The hostilities intensified immediately following the announcement of the ceasefire deal, inciting outrage and despair among Gazan civilians, who have already faced severe humanitarian crises, with nearly 47,000 reported deaths since the conflict began in October 2023.

The negotiations for a ceasefire escalated after both the Biden and incoming Trump administrations recognized the urgent need to resolve the ongoing conflict, fearing its impact on regional stability.

Moreover, Netanyahu's government faces heightened scrutiny from right-wing coalition partners who oppose the ceasefire agreement. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel's far-right National Security Minister, has threatened to resign if the government ratifies the deal, asserting that it undermines Israel's military achievements against Hamas. Political analysts suggest that while these tensions threaten to destabilize Netanyahu's coalition, a majority of ministers might still support the agreement.

If passed, the agreement would pave the way for increased humanitarian assistance to the battered population of Gaza, who have endured widespread displacement, hunger, and destruction over the past year and a half. The international community, including humanitarian aid organizations, remains cautiously optimistic about the implementation of this long-awaited ceasefire, hoping it may lead to a more stable future for both Israelis and Palestinians.

For further developments, follow the AP's war coverage.