Israel's Security Cabinet Recommends Approval of Gaza Ceasefire Deal, Path Cleared for Agreement

Israel's Security Cabinet Recommends Approval of Gaza Ceasefire Deal, Path Cleared for Agreement

Jerusalem, January 17: Israel's security cabinet on Friday recommended approval of a ceasefire deal that would pause the ongoing war against Hamas in Gaza and facilitate the release of dozens of hostages held there.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that an agreement has been reached to halt the Gaza conflict and release the hostages. The security cabinet has now sent the deal to the full cabinet for final approval. The Prime Minister’s office stated that if the deal is passed, the ceasefire could start on Sunday with the release of the first hostages.

This comes after Netanyahu's office indicated that there were last-minute obstacles to finalizing the ceasefire deal. However, a statement released early Friday morning cleared the way for Israeli approval of the agreement.

Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that Israel must withdraw from Lebanese territory and cease military operations within Lebanon, which he stated violate U.N. Security Council resolutions.

Guterres made these comments during a visit to the U.N. peacekeeping force's headquarters in southern Lebanon on Friday. He stated, "They (Israel) must stop their military operations."

Guterres also mentioned that the U.N. peacekeeping force (UNIFIL) has uncovered more than 100 weapons caches, which may belong to Hezbollah or other armed groups, since the ceasefire went into effect.

He reiterated that only Lebanese government forces and U.N. peacekeepers should have an armed presence south of the Litani River near the border with Israel. He added that the presence of other forces, referring to Hezbollah, "undermines Lebanon’s stability."