Popular News
Israel approves Gaza ceasefire, hostage set for Sunday release

In a major breakthrough, Israel cabinet has approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, ending an over 15-month war in the Gaza strip.
The development was also confirmed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office stating that release of hostages is set to take place on Sunday.
The approval from cabinet came after a six-hour meeting on Saturday with the Israeli government ratifying the framework for the return of hostages.
In a brief statement Netanyahu’s office highlighted that agreement’s implementation would begin on Sunday.
US negotiator Brett McGurk expressed confidence that the agreement is on track, stating that the White House anticipates the ceasefire will commence on Sunday morning.
Under the terms of the deal, a three-stage ceasefire will begin with an initial six-week period during which hostages held by Hamas will be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
During this phase, 33 of the 98 remaining Israeli hostages—comprising women, children, and men over 50—are expected to be released.
In return, Israel will free all Palestinian women and children under 19 currently held in its jails.
The names of all 95 Palestinian prisoners, to be released on Sunday, was announced by the Israeli Justice Ministry.
Following the initial hostage release, an additional four female hostages are set to be freed after one week, with further releases scheduled every seven days thereafter.
However, the ceasefire agreement has faced opposition from hardliners within Netanyahu’s coalition government.
At least 24 ministers voted in favor of the deal, while eight opposed it, arguing that it amounts to a capitulation to Hamas.
It is worth mentioning that the conflict in Gaza began on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths. Since the onset of the war, over 46,000 individuals have lost their lives, and much of Gaza has been devastated, displacing the majority of its 2.3 million inhabitants.