On Friday evening, the Israeli government approved with a majority of votes the agreement with the Palestinian Hamas on the cease-fire in the Gaza strip and the release of the hostages held there. Earlier on Friday, this agreement was accepted by Israel’s security cabinet, which includes the heads of key ministries.
The full Israeli government, which deliberated for more than six hours, approved with a majority of votes the agreement with the Palestinian Hamas on the cease-fire in the Gaza strip and the release of the hostages. As reported by Reuters, 24 ministers voted in favor and 8 against.
Earlier on Friday, this agreement was accepted by Israel’s security cabinet, which includes the heads of key ministries.
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A three-phase agreement between Israel and Hamas
The agreement, which was negotiated with Egypt, Qatar and the United States and was announced on January 15, should enter into force on January 19. It envisages a six-week ceasefire and the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.
In the first phase, Hamas must release 33 hostages taken by the organization in its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023: all women, children and men over 50 years old. Israel, in turn, releases several hundred Palestinian prisoners. According to Israel, a total of 98 hostages are in the hands of Hamas.
Israel signed a cease-fire agreement with Hamas ABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA
The Ministry of Justice of Israel published on Friday a list of the names of 95 Palestinian prisoners who will be released from Israeli prisons in the first phase of the implementation of the agreement. It was published so that Israelis aggrieved by the Palestinians could file a Supreme Court case against their release. Prosecutors are expected to hear them on Sunday.
No later than the 16th day after the ceasefire comes into force, negotiations on the next phase of the agreement, namely the release of all remaining hostages, a permanent ceasefire and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Gaza Strip, should begin. .
The third phase involves handing over the bodies of the remaining hostages to Israel and beginning the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s war with Hamas: tens of thousands dead
The war between Israel and Hamas began in October 2023 with the attack of this organization and its coalition of armed terrorist groups on Israel.
Palestinian militants attacked border kibbutzim, military bases and young people who gathered at a music festival. More than 1.2 thousand people were killed in these attacks. people, including citizens of more than 30 countries. 251 people were abducted to the Gaza Strip.
In response to these incidents, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip. According to the Palestinian Authority, more than 46,000 civilians were killed and more than 100,000 were injured. The Gaza Strip has been destroyed, there is a humanitarian crisis and most of the residents have been forced to leave their homes.
Main photo credit: ABIR SULTAN/PAP/EPA
