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 cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the ceasefire would come into effect on Sunday.
According to Israeli media reports, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it. “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.
The ceasefire initiates an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave the way toward ending the 15-month-long conflict. Under the agreement, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due 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.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday 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.
Despite the upcoming ceasefire, 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 enclave’s south. This incident brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
The ceasefire agreement offers a glimmer of hope for an end to hostilities that have persisted for over a year. As both sides prepare for the exchange, international observers are watching closely to see if this development will lead to a lasting peace in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
