Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the ceasefire was approved by cabinet members who had a six-hour meeting before deciding to approve it, adding that the framework agreement on the release of hostages will take effect on January 19.
The Israeli government’s decision is also the final step to officially ratify the ceasefire agreement and release the hostages. Meanwhile, Hamas forces say there are no longer any barriers to the agreement. Eight Israeli cabinet members voted against the ceasefire, while 24 supported it.
Houthi, the Iraqi militia group, stopped attacking Israel after the Gaza agreement
Reuters reported that under the first phase of the agreement, both sides will begin a six-week ceasefire, in which Israeli forces will gradually withdraw to eastern Gaza, away from densely populated areas. Hamas will release 33 hostages, mainly women and the elderly. On January 17, Israel announced the list of the first 95 Palestinian prisoners to be released.
Mr. Brett McGurk, head of the US negotiating team, the intermediary country in the agreement, said the first three hostages could be released on the afternoon of January 19.
The Israeli security cabinet meets on January 17
The Times of Israel Citing a Taiwanese poll, 55% of respondents support maintaining the ceasefire, even if it means ending the war, and 27% think fighting should continue after the first phase of the agreement.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has repeatedly affirmed that he will continue the war until Hamas is completely defeated and is said to have plans to restart the military campaign after the first phase. This decision is said to partly ensure the support of far-right members in Israel, who have a determined stance in defeating Hamas.
A ceasefire can temporarily ease tensions in Gaza, when the war lasted 15 months and left more than 46,000 people dead and nearly 2 million people in Gaza displaced. Gaza health officials said at least 119 people have died since the ceasefire agreement was announced on January 15.
