Israeli cabinet approves Gaza ceasefire accord, due to take effect Sunday

18/1/2025 7:56

Israel's cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement's scheduled start.



In the early hours of Saturday after meeting for more than six hours, the government ratified the agreement, Netanyahu's office said in a statement.



Under the deal, bitterly opposed by some cabinet hardliners, a six-week ceasefire is due to take effect on Sunday, with the first of a series of hostage-for-prisoner exchanges that could open the way to ending the 15-month war in Gaza.



Media reports said 24 ministers in Netanyahu's coalition government voted in favour of the deal while eight opposed it.