TEL AVIV: Israel’s security Cabinet on Friday recommended approval of a ceasefire that would halt the fighting with Hamas in Gaza and release prisoners held by both sides.
The Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said that if a deal is passed by full cabinet, the ceasefire could start as soon as Sunday with the first prisoners released then.
Meanwhile Israeli strikes killed dozens of Palestinians, Gaza rescuers said Thursday, while Israel’s military reported hitting about 50 targets across the territory over the past day.
Netanyahu’s office had accused Hamas on Thursday of reneging on key parts of the agreement to extort last-minute concessions — an allegation Hamas denied.
Israel’s minister opposes deal
Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir makes a last-minute plea for government to vote against the hostage and ceasefire deal approved by the security cabinet. The member of government says he is “even more terrified” of the deal because of the Palestinian prisoners who will be released in exchange for Israeli hostages, according to Times of Israel.
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Gvir in a video statement says everyone knows Hamas will attack again.
The minister has also threatened that his far-right Otzma Yeudit party will leave the government if the deal is approved.
Gaza death toll surges to 46,876
According to the Gaza health ministry on Friday 88 people were killed in the Palestinian territory in the previous 24 hours, taking the overall war death toll to 46,876.
The ministry said that at least 110,642 people have been injured in more than 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, sparked by the Palestinian group’s October 7, 2023 attack
$10 billion needed to rebuild Gaza’s health system
The World Health Organisation’s representative in the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn has said that at least $10 billion would probably be needed over the next five to seven years to rebuild Gaza’s devastated health system alone.
The UN Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA, facing an Israeli ban on its activities set to start later this month, welcomed the ceasefire deal.
“What’s needed is rapid, unhindered and uninterrupted humanitarian access and supplies to respond to the tremendous suffering caused by this war,” UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini wrote on X.