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.
According to Israeli media, 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it.
Netanyahu's office stated that the framework for the return of the hostages will come into effect on Sunday.
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 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 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. He expressed confidence that the agreement is ready to be implemented.
Under the deal, the ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase, including 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. Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
