The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. After a lengthy meeting involving all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the decision, marking a significant step towards easing the ongoing conflict.
The agreement received substantial support within the cabinet, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing, according to Israeli media reports.
“The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages’ release will come into effect on Sunday,” Netanyahu’s office said.
Despite the upcoming ceasefire, tensions remained high. Medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli air strike early on Saturday killed three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the southern part of the enclave. This incident brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel in the afternoon through the Red Cross.
“We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday,” McGurk told CNN from the White House.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase, including hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, and could pave the way to ending the 15-month-old war.
During this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are expected to be freed. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
(With input from Reuters)
Cover image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
