Israel’s Cabinet approved a cease-fire deal with Hamas on Friday, hours after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office confirmed an agreement had been finalized and the security cabinet gave its approval.
Israel and Hamas have been at war for 15 months, after the Iran-backed Palestinian terrorist group mounted a cross-border attack on Oct. 7, 2023, in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage.
Many of the hostages have been released, or their bodies repatriated, but 98 are outstanding. Under the first part of the three-phase agreement, 33 of them will be released during the initial six-week cease-fire, which is due to start on Sunday.
Israel will release 95 prisoners on Jan. 19 including Khalid Jarar of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, according to the country’s justice ministry, which released a list of the Palestinian prisoners who will be freed that day.
By publicizing a list, Israelis can ask the country’s supreme court to block their release. However, it is unlikely the court will do so. (More)
