(UPDATE) JERUSALEM — Israel's Cabinet voted to approve a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal on Saturday, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, ending days of uncertainty about whether the truce would go into effect this weekend.
The ceasefire, set to begin Sunday, would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza's deadliest-ever war.
TRUCE TALKS This handout picture released by the Israeli Government Press Office (GPO) shows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (sixth from left) heading a security cabinet meeting to vote on a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal that should take effect on Jan. 19, 2025, in Jerusalem. The agreement would halt fighting and bombardment in Gaza’s deadliest-ever war and initiate on Sunday the release of dozens of hostages held in the territory since Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel. PHOTO BY KOBY GIDEON/GPO/AFP