In a significant development towards peace in the Middle East, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The announcement followed an extensive meeting of all cabinet members, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed.
According to Israeli media reports, the decision saw a majority in favor, with 24 ministers voting to approve the deal and 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,\" the Prime Minister's office stated, signaling a crucial step forward in the conflict that has gripped the region for over a year.
However, the path to peace remains fraught, as medics in Gaza reported an Israeli air strike early on Saturday that 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 number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday.
The ceasefire deal, set to begin on Sunday morning, was further elaborated by lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk. 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.\" He added that three female hostages were expected to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
The agreement initiates with an initial six-week phase, including hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, and holds the potential to pave the way towards ending the 15-month-old war. Under the terms of the deal, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed in this phase. In reciprocation, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The international community watches closely as these developments unfold, hopeful that this ceasefire may mark the beginning of the end of prolonged hostilities and a step towards lasting peace in the region.
(With input from Reuters)
(Cover photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu heads a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire in Jerusalem on January 17, 2025. /CFP)
Reference(s):
cgtn.com