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Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal to take effect on Sunday

Author: Chany Ninrew | Published: January 18, 2025

his photo provided by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, center, convened his security Cabinet to vote on a ceasefire deal after confirming an agreement had been reached that would pause the 15-month war with Hamas in Gaza, in Jerusalem, Friday, Jan. 17, 2025. (Koby Gideon/Israeli Government Press Office via AP)

Israeli cabinet has approved a deal with Hamas for a ceasefire in Gaza and hostage exchange, setting the course for an end to more than 15 months of war that has killed tens of thousands and reduced much of the Palestinian enclave to rubble.

The ceasefire agreement was ratified after a six-hour cabinet meeting that began late on Friday and stretched into Saturday morning, Netanyahu’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,” it said, as reported by Al Jazeera news outlet.

The ceasefire agreement which will take effect on Sunday would see a pause in fighting in Gaza and includes three phases.

Israeli justice ministry revealed that 735 Palestinian prisoners will be released during the first phase of the deal expected to last for six weeks, during which 33 Israeli hostages are set to be released.

Three female Israeli civilian hostages are expected to be released on Sunday in the exchange, according to two US officials cited by CNN.

At least 33 of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages, including women, children, men over 50 and ill and wounded captives, are to be freed in this phase, Reuters reported.
In return, Israel will release almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails. They include 737 male, female and teen-aged prisoners, some of whom are members of Palestinian militant groups convicted of attacks that killed dozens of Israelis, as well as hundreds of Palestinians from Gaza in detention since the start of the war.
According to Reuters, Israeli warplanes have kept up heavy attacks in Gaza since the ceasefire deal was agreed – with the latest airstrike killing five people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis on Saturday.

 

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