VOA News | Sunday, January 19, 2024 
Implementing Gaza ceasefire will be up to Trump

WHITE HOUSE — A ceasefire in Gaza began Sunday after Israel’s Cabinet approved a deal, with 24 ministers voting in favor and eight ministers rejecting the agreement. The deal was scheduled to be implemented beginning Sunday. But on Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it would not start unless Hamas provided a list of the three hostages set for release Sunday. Hamas ultimately provided the names and Israel said the ceasefire would begin at 11:15 a.m. The deal to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas was achieved after more than a year of negotiations, with mediation from the United States, Qatar and Egypt. U.S. President Joe Biden first endorsed the deal in May. The warring parties agreed to it on Wednesday, and it was subsequently approved by the Israeli Cabinet early Saturday in Israel. Starting midday on Monday when President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated, it will be up to his administration to see that the deal is enforced. The agreement has three phases, each of which will last six weeks. The terms of phases two and three are still being negotiated, but under phase one the cessation of hostilities is expected to continue if six weeks pass before the next phase is finalized. Phase one includes withdrawal of Israeli forces from densely populated areas and more aid for Gaza, as well as the release of some Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons and some hostages held by Hamas, including Americans. The U.S. and other Western countries have designated Hamas as…Read more