Jerusalem — Following a lengthy meeting on Saturday, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced.
The decision saw 24 ministers voting in favor of the deal, while eight opposed, 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.
Despite the impending ceasefire, 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 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 indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning, with three female hostages set to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
“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.
The ceasefire deal initiates with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could open 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 return, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of this first phase.
(With input from Reuters)
(Cover image: Israeli Government Press Office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (6-L) heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
