Israel's security cabinet approves agreement with Hamas
Photo: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (Getty Images)
Israel's security cabinet has approved an agreement with Hamas to release hostages. It will now be submitted to the Israeli government for consideration, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
“After considering all aspects: political, security, and humanitarian, and based on the understanding that the proposed agreement contributes to the achievement of the goals of the war, the Ministerial Committee on National Security (the security cabinet) recommended that the government approve the proposed plan,” the statement said.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu added that the government meeting will be held later today, January 17.
Israeli media say that the full government will consider the agreement before the start of Shabbat. The Israeli Supreme Court will still have to hold hearings on appeals against the agreement, although it is not expected to intervene.
Agreement between Israel and Hamas
On January 15, representatives of Israel and the Hamas group, with the mediation of the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, reached an agreement on the Gaza Strip. It paves the way for a ceasefire and provides for the release of hostages.
As part of the agreement, Hamas pledged to release Israeli hostages in stages and return the bodies of the dead.
The day before, the Israeli Prime Minister's office accused Hamas of refusing some of the agreements under the deal, so the government's vote was postponed. Hamas denied Israel's accusations.
Already today, January 17, Netanyahu assured that the first hostages under the agreement would be released without delay, that is, on Sunday, January 19.
