The Israeli security cabinet on Friday, Jan. 17, approved a Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas. The move came just hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the two countries reached an agreement to return hostages.
The agreement satisfied last-minute snags that held up the deal on Thursday, Jan. 16. It would see a pause in the fighting in Gaza and the phased release of hostages, as well as Palestinian prisoners.
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The ceasefire agreement will take effect Sunday.
CNN reported Netanyahu told his security cabinet that he received guarantees from negotiators that the United States would back Israel, returning to war, if future talks with Hamas break down.
Under the three-phase ceasefire agreement, fighting will stop in Gaza for 42 days. Hundreds of Palestinians and 33 Israeli hostages, including Americans, will be freed during the first phase.
By day 16 of the 42-day ceasefire, negotiators will begin talks on phase two of the deal, which would see the release of all remaining hostages, including Israeli male soldiers.
In addition, all Israeli troops will withdraw from Gaza, allowing many Palestinians to return to what remains of their homes.
The ceasefire will end more than a year of fighting between Israel and Hamas. The conflict began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants attacked a music festival in Israel, killing more than 1,000 civilians.
The ensuing war has claimed tens of thousands of lives after Netanyahu vowed to crush Hamas.
