Israeli Cabinet Approves Gaza Ceasefire Deal to Secure Hostage Release
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 meeting of all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the decision, signaling a potential turning point in the 15-month-old conflict.
According to Israeli media, the cabinet vote saw 24 ministers in favor of the deal, with eight opposing 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.
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 incident brought the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel in the afternoon through 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 begins with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges and could pave the way toward ending the prolonged conflict. Thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed in 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 agreement has sparked cautious optimism among global observers, who hope that this exchange will lead to lasting peace in the region. As the ceasefire is set to commence, the international community watches closely, hopeful for an end to the hostilities that have affected countless lives on both sides.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
