Israel’s government has ratified a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says.
The vote early on Friday paves the way for a suspension of hostilities in Gaza within 24 hours, and the release of 48 Israeli captives held in Gaza, including 20 believed to be alive, within 72 hours after that.
The vote came a day after mediators announced an agreement between Israel and Hamas on a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of captives held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
The agreement—covering the first phase of United States President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war—also requires Israel to pull back its troops to “an agreed-upon line,” according to Trump.
Israeli government spokesperson Shosh Bedrosian earlier said that Israel does not plan to release the imprisoned Palestinian leader Marwan Barghouti as part of the exchange, and claimed Israel would still control more than half of Gaza after moving its forces back as required under the deal.
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