At the same time, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that an agreement to secure the release of hostages in Gaza would take effect only after receiving cabinet approval.
“Contrary to Arab media reports, the 72-hour countdown will begin only after the agreement is approved in the cabinet meeting, which is expected in the evening hours,” Netanyahu’s office said in a statement.
US President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hamas had agreed to the first phase of a Gaza deal involving the exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, with the swap set to occur within 72 hours of the deal’s implementation.
Israel’s cabinet will meet on Thursday at 1500 GMT to discuss a plan to secure the release of all hostages held in Gaza, a government statement said following President Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire and hostage-release agreement.
“Government meeting at 18:00 (1500 GMT). Agenda – Plan for the release of all Israeli hostages,” an announcement posted on the government website said.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had announced overnight that he would convene a cabinet meeting on Thursday to approve a plan for the release of hostages.
Israel’s far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he opposed the Gaza ceasefire deal reached between Israel and Hamas on Thursday, insisting that he would vote against it. However, he did not threaten to resign from Prime Minister Netanyahu’s government.
Israeli officials estimate that the release of captives held by Hamas will begin on Monday, according to Channel 13. Israeli teams are reportedly finalising the list of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, though the process remains ongoing, sources told the Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation.
An Israeli source also indicated that the release is expected to take place quietly, without public ceremonies, with Hamas agreeing to this arrangement during talks in Sharm El-Sheikh.
In Gaza, the Civil Defence issued urgent warnings to residents in southern parts of the territory, urging those wishing to return to Gaza City to refrain from doing so. The agency emphasised that Israeli forces remain active in dangerous areas and that uncoordinated movements could put civilians at serious risk.
The warning came as Israel deployed tanks along the Rashid coastal road to prevent Palestinians from returning to Gaza City and northern Gaza, as the ceasefire had yet to take full effect. Footage showed tanks firing shells near crowds of Palestinians gathering in the area.
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