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 cabinet meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the framework for the hostages' return will come into effect on Sunday.
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 ceasefire pact announced on Wednesday, Israeli air strikes continued in Gaza. Medics reported that an air strike early on Saturday killed three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the enclave's south, bringing the number of Palestinians killed since the announcement to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk said the White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages 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.
Under the deal, the ceasefire begins with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could open the way to ending the 15-month-old war. 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)
Cover image: 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
