Israel’s security Cabinet and the terrorist group Hamas have reportedly ironed out the details that had stalled the implementation of a ceasefire agreement. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that his country’s Cabinet would meet on Friday to approve the deal which would begin the release of hostages.
“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been updated by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal for the release of the hostages,” read a post from the Prime Minister of Israel’s social media account on X.
Despite the tentative ceasefire, fighting continued in Gaza on Thursday night. Reuters reported that Israeli warplanes continued airstrikes in the region.
The Prime Minister’s office also announced that its government had communicated with the hostages’ families to update them on the negotiations. Additionally, Netanyahu’s office organized the necessary preparations to “receive the hostages upon their return to Israel.”
“The Prime Minister’s Office Authority for the Hostages and Missing has updated the families of the hostages,” read the Prime Minister of Israel’s post on X. “The Prime Minister has also directed the Coordinator for the Hostages and the Missing to coordinate the preparations to receive the hostages upon their return to Israel.”
The release of the hostages is expected to be delayed a day later than initially anticipated after slight delays with the original deal. After the ceasefire and hostage release agreement was signed in Doha, Qatar, on Friday, Netanyahu’s office said Israel’s government would now likely vote on it on Saturday, The Times of Israel reported.
A spokesperson for Netanyahu revealed that anyone opposing the ceasefire has at least 24 hours to “petition the High Court of Justice.” This timeframe would overlap with the Sabbath, which would not allow enough time to do their government duties and honor their religious practices, according to The Times.
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There is a stipulation that one could violate the Sabbath in an instance where one could save a life, for which this hostage release would seem to be applicable. However, no explanation has been given as to why this principle is not being honored in this case, The Times of Israel reported.
As such, the first hostages are now expected to be released on Monday instead of Sunday, which was the original plan.
