Europa Press Israel approves the ceasefire in Gaza: the hostages will be released this Sunday
The terrorists who carried out the October 7 attack, in which they killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took another 250 hostage, are excluded from the agreement.
After more than 15 months of intense fighting in the Gaza Strip, Israel and Hamas have reached a ceasefire agreement. It promises to end the devastating war and facilitate the release of hostages still held by the Palestinian terrorist organization.
Agreement Details
The Israeli security cabinet approved the agreement this afternoon, after a meeting that had been previously postponed.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office confirmed that the ceasefire will take effect on Sunday, January 19, at 12:15 PM. On that same day, the first three hostages will be released.
Hostage Release
Israel has published a list of 33 hostages who will be released in the first phase of the truce. Among them are two children aged one and five, ten women, and three octogenarians.
The Bibas family, which became a symbol of the horror of the terrorist massacre on October 7, 2023. Is among the kidnapped who will be able to return to Israel.
Ceasefire Phases
The ceasefire includes three phases, each lasting 42 days. The transition from the first to the second stage, which must be negotiated on the 16th day of the truce, is the most complex step.
The families of the remaining 65 hostages fear that the second phase will never be implemented. Once the first hostages are released, Israel resumed fighting in Gaza.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich warned that he would only support the pact if, after the first six weeks, the war was resumed.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir voted against and threatened to leave the government, although he will continue to support Netanyahu. Ben Gvir considers the pact a "concession" to Hamas and fears that the released terrorists will attempt to kill more Israelis.
Prisoner Exchange
In exchange for the release of the hostages, Israel commits to releasing more than a thousand Palestinian prisoners. Of whom, 110 are serving life sentences for serious attacks.
The terrorists who carried out the attack on October 7, in which they killed more than 1,200 Israelis and took another 250 hostage, are excluded from the agreement.
The following phases of the agreement, which include the reconstruction and future governance of the Strip without Hamas. Have not yet been finalized and are expected to be complex.
The role of the next President of the United States, Donald Trump, will be key to its implementation.
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