Israeli Security Cabinet Approves Hostage Deal, Set for Government Vote

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – Israel’s Security Cabinet approved a hostage deal on Friday, where 33 Hamas captives will be released in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, including hundreds serving life sentences.

The Cabinet recommended the government adopt the deal, which aims to support the war’s objectives. The full cabinet met later for further discussion and a vote, continuing into Shabbat. The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed the vote and the intent to proceed with the agreement.

The larger government cabinet is set to approve the deal, with implementation expected to begin on Sunday.

The senior ministers recommended the deal after reviewing its diplomatic, security, and humanitarian aspects, understanding it aligns with the war’s objectives, according to the Prime Minister’s Office.

The cabinet also emphasized that a key objective following the hostage deal would be “strengthening security in the West Bank,” according to Israeli media. The government meeting to approve the deal began nearly three hours late due to discussions on West Bank security.

The deal, announced by mediators on Wednesday, is set to take effect Sunday at 12:15 p.m. Hebrew media reports suggest the first three female hostages could be released by 4 p.m. that day, with Israel expected to receive the identities of the first returnees from Hamas by 4 p.m. Saturday.

During the security cabinet meeting, unconfirmed Hebrew media reports say Netanyahu told ministers that Israel has received “definitive guarantees” from President Biden and President-elect Trump. If negotiations for the second phase of the deal fail and Hamas rejects Israel’s security demands, Israel will resume intensive fighting with U.S. backing.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir voted against the deal in the security cabinet, along with observers David Amsalem (Likud) and Orit Strock (Religious Zionism), though their votes didn’t count. The deal passed with nine in favor and two against.

Ahead of the meeting, Ben Gvir made a last-minute plea urging ministers to vote against the agreement, expressing increased concern after learning more about the Palestinian prisoners to be released. He warned that these terrorists would likely attempt to harm and kill again.

A leaked copy of the agreement reveals that in the first phase, over 1,700 Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for 33 Israeli hostages. This includes 700 terrorists (250-300 serving life sentences), 1,000 Gazans captured since October 8, and 47 rearrested prisoners from the 2011 Gilad Shalit deal.

In addition to the 33 hostages set for release in phase one, Israel reports that 65 more hostages are held in Gaza, including at least 36 confirmed dead by the IDF. As phase one progresses, talks will begin on a potential second phase, involving the release of all remaining hostages in exchange for an end to the war and agreements on Gaza’s future.

However, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition allies have pressured him not to end the fighting, raising concerns among the families of the remaining 65 hostages that the second phase may not happen and their loved ones could stay in terrorist hands.

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