The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a lengthy meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the cabinet had endorsed the deal.
According to Israeli media, 24 ministers voted in favor of the agreement, 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.
However, tensions remain high as 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 brings the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed optimism about the implementation of the ceasefire. Speaking from the White House, McGurk told CNN, “We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday.”
Ceasefire to Begin with Hostage Exchanges
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire will commence with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave 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 during this phase. In return, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
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.
Hope for an End to the Conflict
The approval of the ceasefire agreement marks a significant step toward de-escalation in a region fraught with tension and violence. The exchange of hostages and prisoners is seen as a critical move to build trust between the parties and potentially bring an end to the prolonged conflict.
As the international community watches closely, there is cautious optimism that this agreement will hold and lead to lasting peace in the region.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
