Jerusalem, January 17, 2025 — In a significant move towards de-escalation, 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 a lengthy cabinet meeting, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
According to Israeli media reports, the agreement saw substantial support within the cabinet, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing. \"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 an official release from Netanyahu's office.
Despite the impending ceasefire, tensions remained high. Medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli air strike early on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the southern part of the enclave. This incident brought the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
The ceasefire agreement, brokered with significant international involvement, is expected to commence on Sunday morning. Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence in the implementation of the deal. \"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 that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. This initial period is seen as a critical step that could pave the way towards ending the 15-month-old war between Israel and Gaza.
In the first 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. The exchanges are expected to occur through coordination with the Red Cross.
The international community is watching closely, hopeful that this agreement will lead to sustained peace in the region. The ongoing conflict has had far-reaching implications, affecting not only the Middle East but also global economic and political dynamics.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
