Israel’s cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, aimed at ending the 15-month-old war in the Gaza Strip. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed the deal, which includes provisions for the release of hostages, set to take effect on Sunday.

After a lengthy six-hour meeting on Saturday, the Israeli government ratified the framework for the return of hostages. A brief statement from Netanyahu’s office highlighted that the agreement’s implementation would begin on Sunday.

US negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence that the agreement is on track, stating that the White House anticipates the ceasefire will commence on Sunday morning. The plan includes the release of three female hostages to Israel later that day, facilitated by the Red Cross.

Under the terms of the deal, a three-stage ceasefire will begin with an initial six-week period during which hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel. During this phase, 33 of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages—comprising women, children, and men over 50—are expected to be released. In return, Israel will free all Palestinian women and children under 19 currently held in its jails.

The Israeli Justice Ministry has announced the names of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be released on Sunday. Following the initial hostage release, an additional four female hostages are set to be freed after one week, with further releases scheduled every seven days thereafter.

However, the ceasefire agreement has faced opposition from hardliners within Netanyahu’s coalition government.

At least 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it, arguing that it amounts to a capitulation to Hamas.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has threatened to resign if the agreement is implemented, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has called for a return to military action against Hamas after the initial six-week phase.

Despite the ceasefire deal being reached, Israeli airstrikes continued in Gaza, resulting in five fatalities from an early morning attack in the Mawasi area near Khan Younis. Since the announcement of the ceasefire on Wednesday, at least 119 Palestinians have reportedly been killed by Israeli bombardment.

If the ceasefire proves successful, it could also help mitigate broader tensions in the Middle East, where the Gaza conflict has drawn in Iran and its allies, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed groups in Iraq.

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The conflict in Gaza began following Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. Since the onset of the war, over 46,000 individuals have lost their lives, and much of Gaza has been devastated, displacing the majority of its 2.3 million inhabitants.