Hostage Deal Approved: 24 In Favor Versus 8 Opposed

The Israeli government approved the hostage release/ceasefire deal in the early hours of Shabbos morning after over seven hours of deliberation, with 24 voting in favor versus eight opposed.

The meeting was significantly delayed as the meeting of the security cabinet took longer than expected, delaying the Cabinet meeting until after the onset of Shabbos.

In a surprise, Likud members Amichai Chikli and David Amsalem voted against the deal, along with Religious Zionist chairman Betzalel Smotrich and two members of his party, Orit Strock and Ofir Sofer; and Otzma Yehudit chairman Itamar Ben-Gvir and two members of his party, Amichai Eliyahu and Yitzchak Wasserlauf.

Another Likud minister, Shlomo Karhi, was not present during the vote.

The implementation of the deal is expected to begin on Sunday, with Hamas slated to release three female hostages in exchange for 95 terrorists.

The Chareidi ministers, dressed in their Shabbos clothing, arrived at the Prime Minister’s Office shortly before Shabbos, left an “in favor” voting slip, and returned home before Shabbos.

Mincha at the PMO’s Office before the meeting.

Deputy Minister Uri Maklev requested from the Prime Minister’s Office officials before he left for home: “It is advisable to ensure that there is no unnecessary Chillul Shabbos such as a press conference.”

Housing Minister Yitzhak Goldknopf wrote in a note he left: “Whoever saves one soul of Israel – it is as if he has saved an entire world. I support the hostage release deal that that the government of Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is finalizing today. And there is no greater mitzvah than pidyon shevuim.”