Israel's cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.
In the early hours after meeting for more than six hours, the government ratified the agreement that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war in the Palestinian Enclave, which Hamas controls.
"The government has approved the agreement for bringing back the abductees. The agreement to release the hostages will come into force on Sunday, January 19," the statement said.
According to the Walla news website, the decision passed in a 24-8 vote. Ministers representing ultra-Orthodox parties left notes indicating how they were voting, as the agreement had not been approved before Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which began at 4:20 p.m. on Friday.
GR
FR
DE
ES
IT
RU
EU
After the Israeli cabinet approval, lead US negotiator Brett McGurk said the plan was moving forward on track.
ReplyDeleteThe White House expects the ceasefire to start tomorrow morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel that afternoon through the Red Cross.
Under the deal, the three-stage ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase when hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for prisoners detained by Israel.
ReplyDeleteUnder the deal, the three-stage ceasefire starts with an initial six-week phase when hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for prisoners detained by Israel.
ReplyDeleteThirty-three Israeli hostages, including women, children, and men over 50, were due to be freed in this phase. Israel will release all Palestinian women and children under 19 detained in Israeli jails by the end of the first phase. The Israeli Justice Ministry on Friday released a list of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the first exchange on Sunday.
ReplyDelete