The Israeli government officially approved a ceasefire agreement with Hamas on Friday, putting a temporary pause on the 15-month conflict starting Sunday.
Israeli forces are now set to withdraw from the Gaza Strip as both sides exchange hostages over the six-week period starting Sunday, according to multiple sources. The deal comes in the wake of Hamas allegedly reneging on parts of the deal at the last minute, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the deal would not be approved unless all conditions were met.
“The government has approved the outline for the return of the abductees,” the government said in a statement according to ABC. “The outline for the release of the abductees will come into effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025.”
Hamas said on Friday that the terrorist organization had no further objections to the deal, according to The New York Times.
