The Israeli government has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in Gaza and the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, paving the way for the ceasefire to take effect in Gaza on Sunday.
The decision was announced after a large-scale Israeli cabinet meeting late last night. Two left-wing ministers voted against the agreement.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office says that the Security Cabinet had previously said, alongside its recommendation to approve the agreement, that it “supports achieving the objectives of the war.”
Both the Prime Minister’s Office and Hamas said they had finalized the agreement, and two days later, Qatar, the United States, and Egypt announced the agreement.
Under the first phase of the deal, which will last six weeks, hundreds of Palestinian prisoners will be released in exchange for the release of 33 Israeli hostages.
During this phase, Israeli forces will withdraw from densely populated areas of Gaza, displaced Palestinians will be allowed to return to their homes, and hundreds of trucks carrying aid will be allowed to enter Gaza every day