TEL AVIV— On Friday, Israel’s security cabinet accepted the Gaza cease-fire and hostage-release plan. Later Friday, the cabinet will vote on the proposal to exchange scores of Hamas hostages for Palestinians in Israeli jails and suspend the 15-month battle for six weeks. Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office acknowledged that an agreement had been reached with Hamas to free the captives held in Gaza. US officials expect the accord to go into force on Sunday.
The deal was approved by the security cabinet’s 11 voting members with a simple majority. Hamas has accused Israel of carrying out “horrific massacres” in Gaza to “thwart” a ceasefire agreement struck on Wednesday. According to the Palestinian group, Israel initiated a “deliberate intensification” of aircraft raids following the announcement of the truce and hostage release arrangement in Qatar’s capital Doha this week.
Since the announcement of the pact, at least 111 Palestinians have been murdered, including 28 children and 31 women, according to Mahmoud Basal, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defence. Basal said that more than 264 individuals had been hurt.
Hamas stated in a statement Friday that Israel is “deliberately committing these massacres in its quest to thwart the ceasefire agreement,” and that mediators should compel Israel to “stop the massacres.” Israel’s President Isaac Herzog praised the security cabinet’s decision to accept the contract and said he expects the government to do the same soon.
Also Read:
Saudi Ports handle 320.78 Million tonnes of Cargo in 2024, up 14.45% Year on Year
Hajj Lab Empowers a Global Network of Trainees
