The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a lengthy meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision that could mark a significant step toward de-escalating tensions in the region.
In the cabinet vote, 24 ministers supported 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,\" stated Netanyahu's office.
Despite the upcoming ceasefire, hostilities have continued. 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 death toll to 119 Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to begin 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 mentioned that three female hostages are slated to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The ceasefire deal initiates with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could open the path to ending the 15-month-old conflict. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed in this phase. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and minors under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The international community watches closely as this agreement unfolds, hopeful that it might lead to lasting peace and stability in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
(Cover image: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire in Jerusalem, January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
