Israeli cabinet authorizes ceasefire agreement
According to Benjamin Netanyahu’s security ministers, a ceasefire “supports the objectives” of Israel’s war in Gaza. To read the full article, visit RT.com.
TroibNews 
The Israeli security cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved a ceasefire and hostage release agreement with Hamas, setting the stage for a complete cabinet vote on Friday. The ceasefire is anticipated to take effect on Sunday.
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, aims to bring an end to the 15-month conflict in Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,100 Israelis and 46,000 Palestinians. Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the deal is structured into three phases. In the first phase, expected to last 42 days, Hamas indicated it would release 33 hostages, including children, female soldiers, and those who are wounded or sick, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
“Following an evaluation of all diplomatic, security and humanitarian aspects, and while understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the objectives of the war, the Security Cabinet has recommended that the Government approve the proposed framework,” stated Netanyahu's office immediately after the vote.
The vote outcome from the 11-member security cabinet was not disclosed.
Now that the security cabinet has reached an agreement, the proposal will go to a vote among Netanyahu’s full cabinet of ministers. Originally planned for Saturday, the vote was moved up to Friday to precede the start of Shabbat.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has signaled his intention to withdraw his Jewish Power party from Netanyahu’s coalition government if the deal is ratified, as has Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from his Religious Zionism party. Nevertheless, these parties are relatively small within the coalition, and the ceasefire is likely to secure the necessary votes in the cabinet.
Netanyahu's office announced earlier on Friday that the first Israeli hostages would be released on Sunday.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
The agreement, signed on Wednesday, aims to bring an end to the 15-month conflict in Gaza that has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,100 Israelis and 46,000 Palestinians. Mediated by Qatar, Egypt, and the United States, the deal is structured into three phases. In the first phase, expected to last 42 days, Hamas indicated it would release 33 hostages, including children, female soldiers, and those who are wounded or sick, in exchange for an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
“Following an evaluation of all diplomatic, security and humanitarian aspects, and while understanding that the proposed deal supports the achievement of the objectives of the war, the Security Cabinet has recommended that the Government approve the proposed framework,” stated Netanyahu's office immediately after the vote.
The vote outcome from the 11-member security cabinet was not disclosed.
Now that the security cabinet has reached an agreement, the proposal will go to a vote among Netanyahu’s full cabinet of ministers. Originally planned for Saturday, the vote was moved up to Friday to precede the start of Shabbat.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has signaled his intention to withdraw his Jewish Power party from Netanyahu’s coalition government if the deal is ratified, as has Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich from his Religious Zionism party. Nevertheless, these parties are relatively small within the coalition, and the ceasefire is likely to secure the necessary votes in the cabinet.
Netanyahu's office announced earlier on Friday that the first Israeli hostages would be released on Sunday.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
