The Israeli security cabinet approved a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal on Friday, recommending that the wider government give its final green light, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
“After reviewing all the political, security and humanitarian aspects, and understanding that the proposed deal supports achieving the objectives of the war, (the security cabinet) has recommended that the government approve the proposed framework,” the office said in a statement. The full cabinet will convene later Friday to decide on the deal.
In Gaza itself, Israeli warplanes kept up intense strikes, and Palestinian authorities said late on Thursday that at least 86 people were killed in the day after the truce was unveiled.
The ceasefire accord emerged on Wednesday after mediation by Qatar, Egypt and the US. The deal outlines a six-week initial ceasefire with the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces. Dozens of Israeli captives by Hamas including women, children, elderly and sick people would be freed in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners detained in Israel.
It paves the way for a surge in humanitarian aid for Gaza, where the majority of the population has been displaced, facing hunger, sickness and cold due to Israel’s siege and indiscriminate attacks, which have killed over 46,000 people.
