The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday, paving the way for the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. After a lengthy meeting, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision, marking a significant step towards easing tensions in the region.
The cabinet vote saw 24 ministers in favor of the deal, with eight opposing, 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,\" Netanyahu's office stated.
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 southern part of the enclave. This incident brought the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk conveyed optimism about the ceasefire's implementation. Speaking from the White House, he told CNN, \"We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday.\" He added that the ceasefire is expected to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages set to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The deal initiates with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could potentially lead to an end to 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)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
