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 involving all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision that could mark a significant step towards ending the 15-month-old war. According to Israeli media reports, the approval came with 24 ministers voting in favor of the deal and eight opposing 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 deal initiates an initial six-week phase, which includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. During this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, comprising women, children, and men over 50, are set to be freed. In return, 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 expressed confidence in the agreement's implementation. Speaking to CNN from the White House, he said, \"We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday.\" The White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross. However, despite the impending ceasefire, violence persisted in Gaza. Medics 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 to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday. The ceasefire agreement, if successfully implemented, could pave the way towards ending the prolonged conflict that has significantly impacted both Israelis and Palestinians. The international community watches closely as the first steps towards peace are set to unfold. (With input from Reuters) (Cover: Israeli Government Press Office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
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