Israeli cabinet green-lights Gaza ceasefire deal

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Israel security cabinet has voted in favour of the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal between Hamas and Tel Aviv, a media report said on Saturday.

On January 12, Qatar Prime Minister Sheikh Abdul Rahman Al Thani told a press conference that Hamas and Israel had agreed to a six-week ceasefire and hostage release deal.

According to VOA, the agreement - brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar -  was approved by the Israeli security cabinet late on Friday.

Under the agreement, which comes into force tomorrow (Sunday), a number of Palestinians will be swapped with Israeli hostages - paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.

In a press statement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced the cabinet's decision, noting the agreement’s implementation would begin tomorrow.

The Hamas-run health ministry says about 46,537 people have been killed and 109,571 others injured since the war erupted on October 7, 2023.

aw/mud