
The full Israeli cabinet endorsed the deal for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages from the enclave, in a meeting that lasted about six hours, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, Report informs via TASS.
“The government has approved the agreement for bringing back the abductees. The agreement to release the hostages will come into force on Sunday, January 19,” the statement said.
According to the Walla news website, the decision passed in a 24-8 vote. Ministers representing ultra-Orthodox parties left notes indicating how they were voting, as the agreement had not been approved before Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which began at 4:20 p.m. on Friday.
Earlier on Friday, the deal had received a blessing from the Israeli security cabinet, which includes key ministers. The security cabinet’s meeting lasted 6 1/2 hours, the Ynet news website reported.
Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani said on January 15 that thanks to the mediation of Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement to hold a ceasefire in Gaza and release hostages held in the enclave.