Israeli president calls for ceasefire deal to be approved

Israeli President Isaac Herzog has called on his country’s security cabinet and government to approve the ceasefire agreement with Hamas.

“My sisters and brothers, citizens of Israel, we are at a most crucial moment,” Herzog said in a statement issued by his office on Wednesday.

After more than 15 months of fierce fighting, Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement had agreed to a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of hostages in return for Palestinian prisoners, according to mediator Qatar.

It is to come into force on Sunday and will initially last for 42 days. However, it must first be approved by Israel’s security cabinet and government.

“For hundreds of days, our sisters and brothers have been held and tormented by vile murderers, after the State of Israel failed in its duty and the most basic covenant between a state and its citizens — when it did not protect them and did not prevent their abduction,” Herzog said.

“Now, we have an obligation to take a step toward righting this,” he added. “I offer my support to the Prime Minister and the negotiation team in their efforts to finalize this deal and call upon the Cabinet and the Government of Israel to accept and approve it when presented—bringing our sons and daughters home.”

He asserted that the ceasefire “is the right move,” adding: “There is no greater moral, human, Jewish, or Israeli obligation than to bring our sons and daughters back to us—whether to recover at home, or to be laid to rest.”

At the same time, Herzog said the deal would involve painful, challenging and harrowing moments.

He also said that everything would be done to ensure that the last of the 98 hostages is brought home.