The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. After a lengthy cabinet meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision, marking a significant step toward easing tensions in the region.
In the cabinet vote, 24 ministers supported the deal while eight opposed it, reflecting a majority consensus toward pursuing a ceasefire. \"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.
Despite the announcement, unrest continues. 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 brings the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the ceasefire is expected to 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. According to McGurk, three female hostages are to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The deal outlines an initial six-week ceasefire phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, potentially paving the way to ending the 15-month-old conflict. Under the agreement, thirty-three Israeli hostages—including women, children, and men over 50—are due to be freed in this first phase. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the initial phase.
The international community watches closely as the ceasefire agreement unfolds, hopeful that this development will lead to lasting peace and stability in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
