The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday, aiming to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip following a protracted cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced.
In a statement, Netanyahu's office confirmed, \"The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages' release will come into effect on Sunday.\"
According to Israeli media reports, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it.
The ceasefire agreement, set to commence on Sunday morning, is expected to initiate the release of hostages held by militant groups in Gaza. Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk stated that three female hostages are scheduled to be released 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.
However, 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 southern part of the enclave. This incident brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave the way toward ending the 15-month-old conflict.
During this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over the age of 50, are due 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 international community is closely watching these developments, hopeful that this agreement will lead to lasting peace in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
