The Israeli Security Council approved the Gaza Agreement

On Friday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced that the Israeli security cabinet had approved the agreement with Hamas regarding a ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of hostages, in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.

The decision was expected despite the opposition of some ministers who belong to the extreme right.

The agreement is now scheduled to be referred to Netanyahu’s coalition government for final signature, which will pave the way for the agreement to enter into force on Sunday.

Netanyahu’s office said in a statement that the agreement would help achieve the war goals set by the government.

The first batch of hostages is expected to be released on Sunday evening.

The three-stage agreement provides for an initial 6-week cessation of the fighting that has devastated the Gaza Strip over the past 15 months, killing more than 46,000 people.

During this first phase, Hamas will release 33 hostages held by militants in Gaza, and Israel will release Palestinian prisoners in its prisons.

An agreement was reached, after months of indirect negotiations, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.