Kathmandu: Israel has formally approved the United States–brokered ceasefire and hostage-release plan aimed at ending months of conflict in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed in a statement on Sunday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed gratitude to US President Donald Trump, describing the development as “historic.” Earlier, President Trump said he expected the release of Israeli hostages by Monday or Tuesday.

First Phase of the Deal Finalized in Egypt

The agreement’s first phase, negotiated in Cairo between Israel and Hamas with Egyptian mediation, includes a mutual ceasefire, the release of Israeli hostages, and the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners by Israel.

Officials said the ceasefire would come into effect following formal cabinet approval by Israel.

Israeli Army Withdrawal Plan

Under the deal, the Israeli army will pull back to a designated line, maintaining control over roughly 53 percent of Gaza’s territory in the initial stage.
According to a map released by the White House, the arrangement marks the first of three phases of Israel’s planned military withdrawal.

The agreement stipulates that once the withdrawal begins, Hamas must release 20 surviving hostages within 72 hours, followed by the return of the bodies of 28 deceased captives.
However, it remains unclear how long the repatriation process for the bodies will take.