Israel approved a framework for the release of all hostages held in Gaza early Friday local time, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said , hours before a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas went into effect at noon.

The ceasefire represents a significant step toward ending Israel’s two-year military operation in Gaza, which has caused widespread destruction across the territory, regional instability, and dozens of hostages. Estimates of Palestinian casualties vary widely, with numbers ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand , reflecting the difficulty of accurate reporting under the ongoing conditions in Gaza. Under the approved framework , 48 hostages still held in Gaza—about 20 of whom Israel believes are alive—would be released in exchange for

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