The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a lengthy cabinet meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the framework for the hostages' release will commence on Sunday.
According to Israeli media reports, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it. \"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.
The ceasefire is set to begin with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, potentially opening the way to ending the 15-month-old war. During this 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 by the end of this phase.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence in the agreement's implementation. Speaking from the White House, McGurk told CNN, \"We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday.\" He added that the ceasefire is expected to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Despite the announcement of the ceasefire pact on Wednesday, hostilities have continued. 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 number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire agreement was announced.
The international community watches closely as this ceasefire agreement unfolds, hopeful that it will lead to a lasting resolution to the conflict.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
