Israel’s Security Cabinet Approves Ceasefire Deal With Hamas, Hostages to Be Released “as Planned”

Israel’s security cabinet recommended approving a deal on Friday (January 17) that would pause the fighting in Gaza and release dozens of hostages held by militants. The deal will now go to the full cabinet for approval before the ceasefire goes into effect. The prime minister’s office said that if a deal is passed, the ceasefire could start Sunday with the first hostages released.The security cabinet meeting came after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said there were last-minute snags in finalizing the ceasefire agreement. Israel had delayed a security cabinet vote Thursday, blaming the dispute with Hamas for holding up approval. However, a pre-dawn statement cleared the way for the deal to be voted on. n18oc_crux