Israel's Opposition Installs Agency To Support Gaza's Armistice Agreement

Israeli military operations in Gaza. (Source: Israel Defense Forces)

JAKARTA - Israel's opposition leader supports a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, ready to provide political support for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government.

Former Prime Minister Yair Lapid and Former Defense Minister Benny Gantz praised the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and Israel in the Gaza Strip, saying all hostages should return home, promising political support to PM Netanyahu if needed.

In a video address, Opposition Leader Yair Lapid said "the whole country is holding its breath" pending the return of the hostages from Hamas prisoners.

"I would like to express my deepest gratitude on behalf of the entire country to President Trump and his team, to President Biden, to Qatar and Egypt, for making this happen and without them this would not have happened," he said of the ceasefire deal. January 16.

Lapid insists the deal must not be stopped after the first phase and repeats its repeated promises to grant Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a political "security net" until the last minute, until the last hostage.

"Everyone should return home," he said.

As previously reported, negotiators reached a gradual agreement on Wednesday to end the war in Gaza between Israel and Hamas after 15 months of conflict since October 7, 2023, sparking tensions in the Middle East.

The deal includes the gradual release of hostages arrested by Hamas-led militants, in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani said there would be a "follow-up mechanism" consisting of representatives from the United States, Qatar and Egypt who will headquarter in Cairo, responsible for monitoring the implementation of the hostage release agreement and the ceasefire.

The mechanism is expected to take effect on Sunday when the ceasefire begins, Al Thani told a news conference announcing the deal.

Meanwhile, National Union Chairman Benny Gantz welcomed the hostage-taking deal with Hamas, expressing the hearts and hearts of all Israeli people and the families of the hostages.

"As I said, National Unity will support this move openly, and if necessary - also politically," Gantz tweeted.

"We must take advantage of the period of implementation of the first phase (agreement) to reach an agreement that will restore all prisoners and put political pressure on replacing the Hamas government. That is possible," he said.

"Tonight, I pay tribute to those who have paid the price for realizing this deal: our brave troops and military members; those who were injured and the fallen heroes who fought persistently against brutal enemies and created the conditions needed to bring home our people," he added.

It is known that two right-wing ministers, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, threatened to leave the cabinet if PM Netanyahu's government agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza that would jeopardize Israel's national security.

The latest conflict in Gaza broke out on October 15, 2023, when a Palestinian militant group led by Hamas attacked Israel's southern region, leaving 1,200 people dead and 250 others hostage, according to Israeli calculations.

Yesterday, medical authorities in Gaza confirmed that the death toll from Palestine since the conflict broke out has reached 46,707 people and 110,265 injured, the majority of children and women, quoted from WAFA.