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 of all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced.
The decision came after hours of deliberation, with 24 ministers voting in favor of the deal and eight opposing it, according to Israeli media reports. The agreement represents a significant step toward de-escalating the ongoing conflict in the region.
“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, tensions remain high. Medics in Gaza 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 brings the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed optimism about the ceasefire’s implementation. “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. The White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the deal, the ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, potentially paving the way to ending the 15-month-old war. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed in this phase. In return, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The ceasefire agreement marks a hopeful moment for both sides, with international mediators emphasizing the importance of adhering to the terms to prevent further escalation. Observers are cautiously optimistic that this could lead to a more sustained peace in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
