Tel Aviv, January 17
The Israeli cabinet today approved an agreement regarding a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of people held hostage by Hamas. With this, the 15-month-long war will stop from Sunday and pave the way for peace talks. Due to the cease-fire, millions of Palestinians who have lost their lives in the war will also get a chance to return to their homes.
America and Qatar announced on Wednesday that an agreement has been reached between Israel and Hamas. Before the cabinet meeting, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that an agreement had been reached to release those held captive by Hamas. A day earlier, Netanyahu’s office said that negotiations to release prisoners in exchange for a cease-fire in Gaza and the release of Palestinian prisoners had stalled at the last minute. Netanyahu said he had ordered the creation of a special task force for the return of captives from Gaza and that their families had been informed that an agreement had been reached. They have instructed the hospitals to be ready for the treatment of the prisoners after their release. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Health said today that 46,876 Palestinians have been killed and 110,642 injured in the war so far. – Ap
