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Israel's Security Cabinet has officially approved a ceasefire proposal with Hamas, marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to de-escalate the conflict in Gaza. The agreement follows intensive negotiations and underscores the importance of addressing humanitarian concerns.
After more than six hours of deliberations on Saturday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office confirmed that the Israeli cabinet greenlit the agreement, which calls for a six-week ceasefire. This is a key component of a three-phase plan aimed at releasing hostages and prisoners. Despite strong opposition from some hardline ministers, who voted against the deal, 24 of Netanyahu&rsquo;s cabinet members supported the ceasefire.
The cabinet vote came after Israeli and Hamas negotiation teams finalized the deal in Doha during the early hours of Friday morning. Initially, the Prime Minister&rsquo;s Office announced that the full government would not convene to approve the agreement until Saturday evening. However, this timeline was expedited after several ministers expressed the urgent need to address the matter promptly, citing the importance of saving lives.
Haredi members of the cabinet, in particular, voiced concerns about delaying the decision due to Shabbat observances. As a result, the meeting was moved up to accommodate these concerns while ensuring that critical decisions could be made without unnecessary delay. Despite the meeting starting late and extending into Shabbat, several ultra-Orthodox ministers departed before the final vote but left written instructions for their votes to be counted in favor of the agreement.
According to Israel media reports, Shas Minister Michael Malcheli wrote on his note, &ldquo;There is no more important commandment than saving the lives of hostages.&rdquo; This sentiment reflects the prevailing belief among many cabinet members that the ceasefire agreement is a life-saving measure of the highest priority.
The Israeli security cabinet had already approved the agreement on Friday, as the proposal requires two rounds of approval. The agreement&rsquo;s implementation will pave the way for the release of hostages, a key component of the negotiations. The first group of hostages is expected to be released on Sunday afternoon, symbolizing a tangible step toward alleviating the humanitarian crisis and fostering conditions for peace.

Israeli hostages likely to be released on Sunday

Cabinet supports six-week ceasefire, focusing on hostage release and humanitarian aid

Israel Approves Gaza Ceasefire After Lengthy Deliberations

Cabinet supports six-week ceasefire, focusing on hostage release and humanitarian aid

January 18, 2025 | 09:44 IST