The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday, aiming to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. After a prolonged cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision, marking a significant step towards de-escalation in the region.
According to Israeli media, 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 agreement, set to begin on Sunday morning, includes an initial six-week phase featuring hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. This could potentially open the way to ending the 15-month-old war between Israel and Gaza.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence in the deal's implementation. \"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 agreement, thirty-three Israeli hostages—including women, children, and men over 50—are to be released in this phase. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
Despite the forthcoming ceasefire, tensions remain high. 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.
The international community watches closely as the ceasefire's implementation approaches, hopeful that this agreement may pave the way for lasting peace in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
