Israeli security cabinet recommends Gaza ceasefire deal
Cabinet is expected to meet later on Friday to give final approval to the deal, which Netanyahu said is expected to take effect on Sunday
The Israeli security cabinet has recommended approving the Gaza ceasefire and hostage return deal, ahead of a full cabinet meeting expected later on Friday, a statement from the prime minister’s office said.
Cabinet is expected to meet at 3.30pm to give final ratification to the agreement, which Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said is expected to take effect on Sunday, with the release of the first hostages.
If successful, the ceasefire would halt fighting that has razed much of heavily urbanised Gaza, killed over 46,000 people, and displaced most of the tiny enclave’s pre-war population of 2.3 million several times over, according to local authorities.
Under the six-week first phase of the three-stage deal, Hamas will release 33 Israeli hostages, including all women, children, and men over 50.