Israel\u2019s cabinet approved a deal with Palestinian group Hamas for a ceasefire and release of hostages in the Gaza Strip, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu\u2019s office said on Saturday, a day ahead of the agreement\u2019s scheduled start. In the early hours of Saturday after meeting for more than six hours, the government ratified the agreement that could pave the way for an end to the 15-month-old war in the Palestinian enclave, which Hamas controls. \u201cThe Government has approved the framework for the return of the hostages. The framework for the hostages\u2019 release will come into effect on Sunday,\u201d Netanyahu\u2019s office said in a brief statement. In Gaza itself, Israeli warplanes have kept up heavy attacks since the ceasefire deal was agreed. Medics in Gaza said an Israeli airstrike early on Saturday killed five people in a tent in the Mawasi area west of Khan Younis in the enclave\u2019s south. This brought to 119 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli bombardment since the accord was announced on Wednesday. After the Israeli cabinet approval, lead U.S. negotiator Brett McGurk said the plan was moving forward on track. The White House expects the ceasefire to start on Sunday morning, with three female hostages to be released to Israel on Sunday afternoon through the Red Cross. \u201cWe have locked down every single detail in this agreement. We are quite confident\u2026 it is ready to be implemented on Sunday,\u201d McGurk said. The names of 95 Palestinian prisoners to be turned over on Sunday were announced by the Israeli Justice Ministry on Friday. After Sunday\u2019s hostage release, McGurk said the accord called for four more female hostages to be released after seven days followed by the release of three further hostages every seven days thereafter.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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