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BREAKING: Israeli security cabinet approves ceasefire-hostage deal

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Israeli security cabinet approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal on Friday.

Subsequently, the wider cabinet will convene later today to vote on this agreement.

Earlier, the Israeli Prime Minister’s office confirmed an agreement with Hamas regarding the hostages in Gaza.

Importantly, U.S. officials anticipate this deal will take effect on Sunday, pausing fighting and facilitating the phased release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners.

Despite the deal, Israeli bombardments resulted in numerous casualties in Gaza, marking the highest daily death toll in over a week.

Consequently, the situation remains dire for many civilians caught in the conflict.

International aid agencies welcomed the ceasefire deal, pledging to enhance their operations in Gaza.

Moreover, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees emphasized the need for rapid, unhindered, and uninterrupted humanitarian access.

This access is crucial to alleviate the suffering caused by ongoing violence.

On Friday, the Israeli security cabinet officially approved the Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal announced in Qatar.

The Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that the 11 voting members approved the deal with a simple majority.

However, the full 33-member Israeli cabinet must still approve the agreement.

The team has scheduled this crucial meeting for 3:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. ET).

Michael Illouz, whose son was kidnapped on October 7 and later died in Hamas captivity, stated that the Gaza deal ‘comes too late for my son.’

He spoke alongside other families of hostages at a Tel Aviv event.

Illouz said, “This deal comes too late to save my son’s life, but we can bring him back home for burial.”
Nonetheless, he expressed joy for every hostage saved and every life preserved.

Families of hostages, both deceased and captive, urged for the full implementation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and hostage release agreement.

They also expressed gratitude to the outgoing Biden administration and the incoming Trump administration for facilitating this long-awaited deal.

Einav Zangauker, mother of hostage Matan Zangauker, conveyed newfound “hope” of seeing her son again.

She emphasized, “Our role is to do everything to ensure the agreement is fully implemented and secure everyone’s return until the last hostage.”

During the first six-week phase of the agreement, they expect to release a total of 33 hostages.

This group includes female soldiers, children, the elderly, and the sick, as stated by Qatar’s prime minister on Wednesday.