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, 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.
Despite the impending ceasefire, violence continued in the region. 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 brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed optimism about the ceasefire's implementation. Speaking to CNN from the White House, McGurk said, \"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 three female hostages were expected to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The ceasefire deal includes an initial six-week phase featuring hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, which could pave the way toward ending the 15-month-old war. Under the agreement, 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 children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
(With input from Reuters)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com