Israeli ceasefire deal with Hamas a crucial step for Gaza crisis, says Cameron

BRITAIN today welcomed a “crucial step” towards tackling the crisis in Gaza after Israel’s cabinet approved a ceasefire deal with the Hamas militant group.

- Jitendra Joshi

After more than six weeks of war sparked by the group’s terrorist rampage in southern Israel, Hamas is set to release dozens of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron, right, said: “This agreement is a crucial step towards providing relief to the families of the hostages and addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

“I urge all parties to ensure the agreement is delivered in full. Of course, we want to see all hostages released immediately and families affected by the horrors of the October 7 terror attack reunited,” he said.

Under the deal, Hamas is to free 50 of the 236 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip over a four-day period, the Israeli government said after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu overcame objections to the deal from farRight members of his cabinet in a late-night meeting.