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 of all cabinet members on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced the decision, marking a significant step toward easing tensions in the region.
According to Israeli media reports, the cabinet vote saw 24 ministers in favor of the deal, with eight opposing. “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 forthcoming 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 southern part of the enclave. 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 indicated optimism about the ceasefire’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.” The White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel that afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the terms of 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. In 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 the first phase.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
