The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a lengthy meeting of all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the framework for the hostages' release will come into effect on Sunday.
According to Israeli media, 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.
The ceasefire agreement marks a significant step towards ending the 15-month-old war that has caused extensive devastation and loss of life. Under the deal, an initial six-week phase will begin, involving hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. 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.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence in the agreement's imminent implementation. \"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 is expected to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Despite the impending ceasefire, violence has continued. 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.
The international community is watching closely as this development could pave the way for a more comprehensive peace agreement. The exchange of prisoners and cessation of hostilities offer a glimmer of hope for a region long afflicted by conflict.
(With input from Reuters)
(Cover: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
