Jerusalem — The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday, aiming to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The decision came after a lengthy meeting of all cabinet members, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The agreement, which followed intense deliberations, saw 24 ministers voting in favor while eight opposed. \"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 the Prime Minister's office.
Despite the upcoming 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 brings the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed expectations that the ceasefire would commence on Sunday morning. \"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. He indicated that three female hostages were to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase that includes 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. Correspondingly, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The ceasefire deal marks a significant development in the prolonged conflict, offering a glimmer of hope for peace and the return of loved ones to their families. The international community watches closely as the agreement unfolds, with the potential to reshape dynamics in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
