Israel's cabinet is set to approve a ceasefire with Hamas, ending 15 months of conflict. The deal, including hostages' release and a six-week truce, follows ongoing airstrikes in Gaza. The ceasefire aims to ease the humanitarian crisis and halt the fighting devastating the region.
The Israeli cabinet is set to convene to grant final approval for a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and the release of hostages in Gaza, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office. While warplanes continued heavy strikes in Gaza, Palestinian officials reported that at least 86 people were killed on Thursday, the day after the ceasefire was announced.
After internal divisions delayed the expected cabinet vote on Thursday, Israel now plans to hold the meeting on Friday. Netanyahu’s office said approval was "imminent," with a security cabinet meeting scheduled before the full cabinet gathers. However, it remains uncertain whether the full cabinet will meet on Friday or Saturday, potentially delaying the ceasefire's scheduled start on Sunday.
White House spokesperson John Kirby stated that the ceasefire agreement was expected to proceed "as soon as late this weekend." Netanyahu's office confirmed that a deal for releasing hostages had been reached, and no major obstacles to the agreement were anticipated.
A group representing Israeli hostages urged Netanyahu to proceed with the deal without delay. "Every night is another nightmare for the 98 hostages," they said in a statement. A dispute over the identities of some prisoners Hamas wants released remains unresolved, with U.S. negotiators working alongside Egyptian and Qatari mediators to resolve it.
Despite the challenges, Hamas remains committed to the ceasefire, according to senior official Izzat el-Reshiq. Meanwhile, U.S. President Joe Biden emphasized the need for Israel to address Palestinian concerns for long-term peace and sustainability.
In Gaza, initial joy over the ceasefire quickly turned to anger and despair after Israeli airstrikes resumed. Local residents, like Tamer Abu Shaaban, mourned the death of children caught in the violence, asking why the ceasefire had not prevented further loss.
While hardliners within Netanyahu’s government have opposed the deal, a majority of cabinet ministers are expected to support it. Protests erupted in Jerusalem with some Israelis marching through the streets in opposition to the ceasefire.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered by Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S., outlines a six-week truce, with Israeli forces gradually withdrawing from Gaza. It also includes the release of dozens of hostages, including women, children, the elderly, and sick individuals, in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. The deal also promises a surge in humanitarian aid to Gaza, where the population is facing extreme hardship due to the ongoing conflict.
Since the conflict began on October 7, 2023, Israeli military actions have claimed over 46,000 lives in Gaza and displaced most of its 2.3 million residents. The ceasefire aims to halt the destruction in Gaza and potentially defuse broader regional tensions.
The incident took place on Saturday in Boulder, Colorado, during a regular event held to raise awareness for Israeli hostages held in Gaza.
Israel’s military chief has ordered an expansion of the Gaza ground offensive amid growing warnings of famine and international criticism over aid restrictions.
Hamas said on Saturday it had officially responded to a ceasefire plan put forward by U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who represents President Donald Trump in Middle East diplomacy. The group said its reply includes a key demand: a complete end to the war.
A breakthrough US plan for a Gaza ceasefire, involving a phased hostage-prisoner exchange and humanitarian aid, has gained traction as Hamas agrees to the proposal following Israel’s acceptance.
Israel has approved 22 new Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, triggering sharp backlash from Palestinians and warnings from international allies.
Russia and Ukraine have made progress toward peace during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, agreeing on an expanded humanitarian exchange and moving closer to a ceasefire, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has commended President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his "rational and balanced policy" in developing the country’s energy resources, particularly amid growing global demand for oil and gas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Egypt on a one-day visit and is scheduled to visit Lebanon on Tuesday on the second leg of his tour of the two Arab countries with which the Islamic Republic is re-adjusting its relations.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu will make an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 7, 2025, following an invitation from the Iranian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan announced on Monday.
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Canada’s Gran Tierra Energy Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition held as part of Baku Energy Week.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
Taxi drivers across France are protesting government plans to cut payments for driving patients to medical appointments. These cuts are part of a broader effort by Prime Minister François Bayrou to save €40 billion in the 2026 budget and reduce the country’s large deficit.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has commended President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his "rational and balanced policy" in developing the country’s energy resources, particularly amid growing global demand for oil and gas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Egypt on a one-day visit and is scheduled to visit Lebanon on Tuesday on the second leg of his tour of the two Arab countries with which the Islamic Republic is re-adjusting its relations.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu will make an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 7, 2025, following an invitation from the Iranian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan announced on Monday.
Azerbaijan and Iran have reached a key agreement on the operation mode and water allocation of the Araz reservoir, following the 54th meeting of the Permanent Joint Commission on the shared use of the Araz River's water and energy resources, held in Baku.
Azerbaijan has emerged as a critical transportation hub in China's Belt and Road Initiative, transforming from a regional energy exporter into a vital link connecting Chinese goods with European markets.
Russia and Ukraine have made progress toward peace during the second round of negotiations in Istanbul, agreeing on an expanded humanitarian exchange and moving closer to a ceasefire, Turkish FM Hakan Fidan said.
The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has commended President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan for his "rational and balanced policy" in developing the country’s energy resources, particularly amid growing global demand for oil and gas.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has arrived in Egypt on a one-day visit and is scheduled to visit Lebanon on Tuesday on the second leg of his tour of the two Arab countries with which the Islamic Republic is re-adjusting its relations.
Kazakhstan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu will make an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Iran on June 7, 2025, following an invitation from the Iranian government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan announced on Monday.
The State Oil Company of Azerbaijan (SOCAR) and Canada’s Gran Tierra Energy Inc. signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the sidelines of the 30th Anniversary International Caspian Oil and Gas Exhibition held as part of Baku Energy Week.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment