The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. After a marathon meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced late Saturday that the cabinet had reached a consensus on the deal.
According to reports from Israeli media, the decision saw 24 ministers voting in favor while eight opposed, reflecting the intense deliberations within the government.
\"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 ceasefire pact announced on Wednesday, tensions remain high. Medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli air strike early on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 119 since the ceasefire announcement.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon via 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.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire will begin with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, potentially paving the way to ending the 15-month-old conflict.
During this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are expected to be freed. In reciprocation, 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)
(Cover: Israeli Government Press Office shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com