Israeli government approves ceasefire deal: Reports

The Israeli government has formally approved the ceasefire deal in Gaza and the release of some hostages, soon halting the conflict that has been raging for 15 months.

The Israeli Cabinet voted in favor of the deal in the early morning hours in Jerusalem on Saturday, according to The Associated Press. The release of hostages and the ceasefire in the region will begin on Sunday, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

“The Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages’ release will come into effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025. Shabbat Shalom,” the office said, according to CNN.

A group of 33 ministers greenlit the deal after getting approval from the security cabinet on Friday. Israel’s highest court will wait 24 hours for any potential appeals.

The beginning of the ceasefire will likely permit the freeing of three Israeli civilian female hostages held in Gaza on Sunday. Some 90 Palestinian female prisoners and children will be exchanged in return.

The start of the ceasefire on Sunday should present a six-week period of peace between the Palestinian militant group Hamas and the Israeli military. The fighting is expected to halt while Israeli soldiers are set to retreat from the populated areas in Gaza.

The initial ceasefire deal, the second since the conflict started on Oct. 7, 2023, was struck on Wednesday.

“The fighting in Gaza will stop and soon the hostages will return home to their families,” President Biden said on Wednesday.

He added that in the first phase of the three-phase plan, Americans are also expected to be released. Biden said that if negotiations to proceed to the second phase exceed two weeks, the pause in fighting should continue.

“Negotiations will go forward for as long as it takes,” he said.

In phase two, an exchange for living hostages in Gaza, including Israeli military and men of military age is expected to take place.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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