Israel delays cabinet approval of Gaza ceasefire deal Updated

Israel’s security cabinet has postponed a meeting intended to approve a ceasefire agreement with Hamas and the release of hostages in Gaza.

The session, initially scheduled for 17:00 local time, had not begun by 18:00, according to Israeli media outlet Vesti Israel.

Following the cabinet’s approval, a separate ministerial session was planned to authorise the release of prisoners from Israeli jails under the terms of the deal. This meeting has also been delayed and is now expected to take place at 20:00. Authorities have not provided an official explanation for the delays.

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On October 9, Israel’s Security Cabinet convened to review an agreement concerning the release of hostages and the cessation of hostilities in the Gaza Strip.

Following discussions within the security forum, the government is expected to meet in full to formally ratify the deal, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Officials say the decision is likely to represent a significant step towards resolving the conflict and stabilising the situation along the Gaza border.

Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire and hostage agreement on October 9, under the first phase of U.S. President Donald Trump's peace initiative. The deal was signed in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, and came into effect locally after noon (0900 GMT), though Israel’s cabinet approval was still required.

Under the agreement, fighting will halt, Israel will partially withdraw from Gaza, and Hamas will release hostages in exchange for prisoners held by Israel. Israeli troops are expected to begin pulling back within 24 hours, and the remaining 20 hostages are likely to be freed by Sunday or Monday.

Celebrations erupted among Palestinians and Israeli families of hostages, even as Israeli air strikes continued in Gaza. The Gaza Health Ministry reported at least nine Palestinian deaths over the past 24 hours.

By Aghakazim Guliyev