The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement with the Gaza Strip, paving the way for the release of hostages and a potential end to the prolonged conflict. After a lengthy meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that the agreement would come into effect on Sunday.
In the cabinet vote, 24 ministers supported the deal while eight opposed it, reflecting the intense deliberations surrounding the ceasefire framework. \"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.
Despite the upcoming ceasefire, tensions remain high. Medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli air strike early on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three people in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, bringing the Palestinian death toll to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk expressed 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.\" According to McGurk, three female hostages are expected to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The ceasefire agreement initiates a six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could potentially lead to the conclusion of the 15-month-old war. In this initial phase, 33 Israeli hostages—including women, children, and men over 50—are due to be freed. In exchange, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of this phase.
The international community watches closely as this development unfolds, hopeful that the agreement will bring lasting peace to the region. The successful implementation of the ceasefire could mark a significant turning point in the longstanding conflict between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
