In a significant development aimed at easing tensions in the Middle East, the Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement on Saturday. The decision, reached after a protracted meeting of all cabinet members, seeks to secure the release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, according to an announcement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office.
Israeli media reports reveal that the agreement received substantial support within the government, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight opposing. “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 the official communiqué from Netanyahu’s office.
Despite the impending ceasefire, tensions remain high. 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 reported number of Palestinians killed by Israeli strikes to 119 since the ceasefire pact was initially announced on Wednesday.
The international community is closely monitoring the situation. Lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk indicated that the White House expects the ceasefire to commence on Sunday morning. “We have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident… it is ready to be implemented on Sunday,” McGurk stated in an interview with CNN from the White House. He also mentioned that three female hostages are expected to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the terms of the deal, the ceasefire will start with an initial six-week phase that includes hostage-for-prisoner exchanges. This phase could potentially pave the way to ending the 15-month-old conflict. During this period, thirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, are due to be freed. In reciprocity, Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase.
The approval of the ceasefire agreement marks a hopeful step towards de-escalation in a region that has long been marred by conflict. Observers around the world are watching closely, anticipating that this agreement may lead to lasting peace and positive developments in Israeli-Palestinian relations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
