Jerusalem (TDI): The Israeli security cabinet on Friday approved a Gaza ceasefire and prisoner release agreement, while recommending that wider government approval also be sought.
The ceasefire would take effect on the eve of Donald Trump’s inauguration as US president.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said in a statement, “After evaluating all political, security and humanitarian factors, and recognizing that the proposed deal aligns with the objectives, the security cabinet has recommended the government approve the proposed framework.”
If approved, the deal would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza on Sun¬day, followed by the release of prisoners held by Palestinians groups since Oct 7, 2023.
Israel is then likely to release the first group of Palestinian prisoners, including several with high sentences.
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Hamas said in a statement that obstacles that arose on the terms of the Gaza ceasefire deal have been resolved.
The Israeli justice ministry published a list of 95 Palestinian inmates who are to be freed starting Sunday as part of the first exchange for Israeli prisoners under a Gaza ceasefire agreement.
“The release of captives is subject to government approval of the ceasefire deal and will not take place before Sunday 16:00 (1400 GMT), the ministry said in a statement on Friday.
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However, Israeli strikes on Gaza have killed dozens of people since the agreement was announced.
On Friday, Israeli war jets kept up heavy strikes, and medics and rescue authorities said that at least 104 Palestinians, including 58 children and women, had been killed since Wednesday, taking the overall war death toll to 46,876.
