The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, following an extensive cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced.
According to Israeli media reports, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it, highlighting the intense deliberations within the government.
\"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, signaling a significant step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict.
Despite the impending ceasefire, medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli airstrike 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.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning, with three female hostages scheduled for release 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.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase involving hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could potentially pave the way to ending the 15-month-old war.
In this phase, 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.
(With input from Reuters)
Cover image: Israeli Government Press Office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (6th from left) heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
