In a significant move toward ending a prolonged conflict, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The decision came after an extensive meeting of all cabinet members, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The agreement received substantial support within the government, 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,\" stated Netanyahu's office, signaling a pivotal step in the peace process.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire pact on Wednesday, medics in Gaza reported that Israeli air strikes continued, with an early Saturday strike killing three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. This incident brought the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire announcement to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence in the implementation of the ceasefire. Speaking from the White House to CNN, he said, \"We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday.\" He added that the ceasefire is expected to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The deal outlines an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave the way to ending the 15-month-old war. Under this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are scheduled to be freed. In reciprocation, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The approval of the ceasefire agreement and the planned exchange of detainees mark a hopeful turn in the efforts to de-escalate tensions and bring peace to the region. The international community watches closely as both sides prepare to implement the terms of the agreement starting Sunday.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
