In a significant development, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a lengthy meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the decision, marking a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict.
The decision saw overwhelming support within the cabinet, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing the deal, 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 stated.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire pact on Wednesday, Israeli air strikes continued in the interim period. Medics in Gaza reported that an air strike early on Saturday killed three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, bringing the death toll to 119 Palestinians since the ceasefire was first announced.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning. “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. He added that three female hostages are set to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could open the way to ending the 15-month-old war.
Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed in this phase. In return, 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)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
