Israel’s Cabinet approves deal for ceasefire in Gaza and release of dozens of hostages
The Hindu
Israel's Cabinet approves ceasefire deal with Hamas, releasing hostages and pausing 15-month war for six weeks.
Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal early on Saturday (January 18, 2025) for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of dozens of hostages that will pause the 15-month war with Hamas for six weeks.
The deal brings Israel and Hamas a step closer to ending their deadliest and most destructive fighting ever.
The ceasefire — just the second achieved during the war — is expected to begin Sunday.
Mediators Qatar and the U.S. announced the ceasefire Wednesday, but the deal was in limbo for more than a day as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there were last-minute complications that he blamed on the Hamas militant group.
The ceasefire — just the second achieved during the war — will go into effect Sunday, though key questions remain, including the names of the 33 hostages to be released during the six-week first phase of the ceasefire and who among them is still alive.
Netanyahu instructed a special task force to prepare to receive the hostages returning from Gaza and said that their families were informed a deal had been reached.
Hundreds of Palestinian detainees are to be released as well, and the largely devastated Gaza should see a surge in humanitarian aid.
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