Hope Amidst Conflict: Israel and Hamas Ceasefire Deal Brings Relief

After a long and tense conflict, Israel's government has finally given the green light to a ceasefire and hostage release deal with Hamas. This deal is set to start on Sunday morning, bringing a much-needed break to the 15-month battle. The agreement was approved by Israel's cabinet late on Friday night, with 24 votes in favor and 8 against. The deal comes at a crucial time, with Gaza facing severe humanitarian conditions, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are struggling with food and basic needs. The ceasefire deal has three phases. In the first phase, which is expected to last six weeks, 33 Israeli hostages will be freed, along with 735 Palestinian prisoners. This includes three female Israeli civilian hostages held in Gaza, who are expected to be released on the first day. Additionally, there is news of foreign hostages, including Americans, being released as well. However, there is still ongoing concern about the 94 people being held hostage since the start of the war. At least 34 of them are reported dead, but the true number could be higher. The deal also sets up a joint operations room in Cairo to monitor its implementation, including representatives from Egypt, Qatar, the United States, Israel, and Palestinian officials. One of the key benefits of this deal is the significant increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Under the deal, 600 trucks of aid are expected to enter Gaza daily, a considerable jump from the 614 truckloads that entered in the first two weeks of January. This comes as a relief to many families of Israeli hostages, who have been holding onto hope that their loved ones might still be alive. Despite the deal, tensions remain high. Since the announcement of the ceasefire, Israeli strikes have continued, killing more than 122 people, including 33 children. The deal also faces opposition from some political factions in Israel, with two far-right parties threatening to quit the government if the deal goes through.