Netanyahu’s government cabinet passes ceasefire deal though ‘some members voted no’
This came to a vote in Israel’s security cabinet first and then in Netanyahu’s wider government coalition, where there were actually some members who voted no.
These are the far-right coalition partners in the Netanyahu government. Those who are known ultra-nationalists who wanted to see a different sort of vision for Gaza in the future – one that has been condemned internationally and known as ethnic cleansing.
They wanted to completely get rid of the Palestinian population from the Gaza Strip. They wanted to build illegal settlements there, and they wanted the war to continue on.
Nonetheless, the Israeli prime minister says that this deal has everything Israel needs. This deal accomplishes all of the goals and objectives that Israel set out more than two years ago.
US envoy Witkoff praises Netanyahu, says he made ‘very difficult calls’ in Gaza war
Earlier, we reported that US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff praised Prime Minister Netanyahu’s handling of Israel’s war on Gaza, saying he had the “job of making tough choices”.
According to The Times of Israel, Witkoff also reportedly said during Thursday night’s cabinet meeting in Jerusalem that President Trump believes the Israeli leader “made some very, very difficult calls, and lesser people would not have made those calls”.
Speaking alongside Netanyahu, Witkoff also reportedly said there were times when he felt Israel should have been more flexible.
“But the truth is, as I look back, I don’t think we get to this place without Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he said.
Israeli attacks in Gaza have halted since ceasefire ratified earlier
As we have been reporting, the Israeli government confirmed in the early hours of Friday morning that it had approved phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal with Hamas.
An Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent in the besieged enclave now reports that Israeli air strikes have stopped in the hours since the ratification.
But with Israeli officials saying that the ceasefire will only come into effect sometime over the next 24 hours, it remains to be seen whether the halt in attacks is permanent.
