The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. Following a prolonged meeting of all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision, marking a significant step toward resolving the ongoing conflict.
According to Israeli media reports, the vote saw 24 ministers in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it, reflecting the intense deliberations within the government.
\"The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages' release will come into effect on Sunday,\" stated Netanyahu's office, signaling the imminent commencement of the ceasefire.
Despite the announcement, medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli airstrike early on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the southern enclave. This incident 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 indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to begin on Sunday morning, with three female hostages set to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon via 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 terms of the deal, the ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave the way toward ending the 15-month-old war.
In this phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages\u2014including women, children, and men over 50\u2014are due to be freed. 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 (6-L) heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire, in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
