Israeli Government Approves Ceasefire in Gaza Amid Ongoing Conflict
The Israeli government has officially approved a ceasefire agreement aimed at securing the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip. The decision came after an extensive meeting of all cabinet members on Saturday, according to an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
The agreement saw significant support within the cabinet, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing, as reported by Israeli media.
\"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 pending ceasefire, medics in Gaza reported that an Israeli air strike early on Saturday resulted in the deaths of three individuals in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis, located in the southern part of the enclave. This incident brings the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes since the ceasefire pact was announced on Wednesday to 119.
Brett McGurk, the lead U.S. negotiator, indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning. He mentioned that three female hostages are slated to be released to Israel on Sunday 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, which includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges, and could potentially pave the way for ending the 15-month-old war.
During this initial phase, thirty-three Israeli hostages—including women, children, and men over the age of 50—are expected 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.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
