Daijiworld Media Network - Jerusalem

Jerusalem, Oct 10: Israel’s government has approved the first phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, paving the way for an immediate halt to hostilities in Gaza and the release of Israeli captives. The agreement, ratified late Thursday night, includes a prisoner swap and partial Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, though long-term peace arrangements remain unclear.

Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas’s negotiating team, said the group has received guarantees from the US and mediators that the first-phase agreement signifies the war in Gaza “has ended completely.”

Under the agreement, Hamas has 72 hours to release 20 living captives still held in Gaza, with the release expected by Sunday or Monday. The bodies of 28 deceased captives will also be returned, t

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