In a significant move towards peace after a protracted conflict, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The decision came after a lengthy meeting involving all cabinet members, as announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The agreement, which is set to come into effect on Sunday, saw substantial support within the government, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing, according to Israeli media reports.
\\"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, signaling a pivotal step towards de-escalation.
Meanwhile, tensions remain high on the ground. 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 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 expressed optimism about the ceasefire's implementation, stating that the White House expects it to start 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 expected 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 pave the way towards ending the 15-month-old war. In this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, comprising women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed. In return, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
Observers hope that this agreement not only secures the safe return of hostages but also marks the beginning of a sustained peace process in the region. The international community watches closely as both sides prepare to implement the terms of the ceasefire.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
