After a meeting of more than five hoursthe Government of Israel approved this Saturday morning the ceasefire and hostage exchange agreement with the Islamist group Hamas, as a way to end the escalation of violence in Gaza. “The Government (of Israel) has approved the framework for the return of the hostages (…) will come into force on Sunday, January 19, 2025“said the Prime Minister’s Office in a statement.
The agreement was put on the table last Wednesday, but a vote was needed by the Israeli prime minister’s cabinet, Benjamin Netanyahuso that it was firm, which occurred this morning. The entire Government voted in favor of approving the ceasefire agreementthis after the security cabinet gave its blessing to the agreement on Friday.
At the moment there is no statement to the press after the vote, in which local media report that 24 ministers voted in favor and eight against.
This is the agreement between Israel and Hamas for the ceasefire
Qatar, a key mediator in the agreement between Israel and Hamas, has announced that the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip will come into force this Sunday at 8:30 a.m. in the Palestinian enclave (6:30 GMT).
There will be a first phase that will last for a period of 42 days in which the green light will be given for the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel to the entire Gaza Strip and the rehabilitation of hospitals.
In this first phase, Hamas will release a total of 33 Israeli hostages in exchange for Israel’s release of an unspecified number of Palestinian prisoners.
During the development of these actions, the parties will specify the details of a second and third phase.
Postwar plan for the Gaza Strip
On January 14, the Secretary of State of the United States, Anthony Blinkenannounced that it will deliver to the next Donald Trump Administration a post-war plan for the Gaza Strip, which includes a unitary government with the West Bank supervised by the international community.
Under this proposal, the international community will help the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to “establish an interim government” in Gaza with responsibility for access to water, energy and health, elected by popular “consultation” and who will end up handing over power to a “reformed ANP as soon as possible,” Blinken detailed.
After the military takeover of Rafah on May 7, Israel controls all access points to Gazaa Palestinian enclave governed ‘de facto’ by Hamas since 2007 and where in just over 15 months of war more than 47,800 people have died and nearly 90% of the population has been forced to abandon their homes.