The ceasefire will see Gaza hostages and Palestinian prisoners in Israel freed.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza went into effect on Sunday morning. Hostages held in the strip and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails will be freed in the first phase of the deal.
Meanwhile, the November ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. Israeli forces also remain active inside the Syrian border region as victorious rebels there build a transitional government.
Tensions remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides. The IDF and the Yemeni Houthis also continue to exchange attacks.
The Israeli government said it has approved the ceasefire deal.
"The government has approved the outline for the return of the abductees," the government said in a statement. "The outline for the release of the abductees will come into effect on Sunday, January 19, 2025."
At least 116 Palestinians have been killed and 264 injured since the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced on Wednesday.
The Israeli cabinet met Friday and voted to approve a ceasefire deal reached between Hamas and Israel.
The deal now needs approval from the government before it is ratified by Israel.
The ceasefire is on track to go into effect on Sunday.
The Israeli cabinet is currently meeting to to discuss and ratify the ceasefire deal reached with Hamas.
“The political-security cabinet discussion began at the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem," read a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office released on Friday. "Earlier, an operational security situation assessment was held regarding the implementation of the agreement, headed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, together with the negotiating team that returned from Doha."
If a deal is reached, Netanyahu's office said that hostages could be released as early as Sunday, according to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office.
