In a significant development, Israel’s Cabinet has given the green light to a ceasefire agreement with the Hamas militant group, marking a temporary cessation of the prolonged conflict that has endured for over six weeks.

As part of the agreement, Hamas has committed to releasing 50 of the approximately 240 hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip.

The release is scheduled to take place over four days, with the Israeli government announcing its intention to extend the ceasefire by an additional day for every 10 hostages set free.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, ahead of the Cabinet vote on Wednesday morning, affirmed that Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas once the ceasefire period concludes. The specific commencement date of the truce is yet to be clarified.

(ai/mnm/sourced online)

ASEAN has called for an immediate cessation of violence in the Israel-Hamas crisis.

In a joint statement issued by the foreign ministers of its 10 member countries, ASEAN strongly condemned the acts of violence in the region, which have resulted in the loss of life and injuries to civilians, including Filipino and Thai nationals.

The organization urged an immediate end to violence to prevent further human casualties and emphasized the importance of respecting International Humanitarian Law. They also called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid, and unimpeded humanitarian corridors.

Furthermore, ASEAN reaffirmed its support for a negotiated two-state solution, allowing Israelis and Palestinians to coexist in peace and security in line with relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.

They stressed that this remains the most viable path to address the root causes of the conflict.

The organization also called on the international community to support the peace process to ensure long-lasting peace and stability in the region.

This statement comes amid a two-week-long escalation of the Israel-Hamas conflict, resulting in the loss of thousands of civilian lives, including children, medical personnel, and journalists. (ai/mnm)

By Junex Doronio

CONCERNED THAT CIVILIANS, SPECIALLY CHILDREN, are caught in the crossfire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas armed conflict, Vice President and Education Secretary Sara Duterte has urged Filipinos to call for a ceasefire and peaceful negotiations amid the escalating violence in the Middle East.

In a video message, Duterte on Thursday, October 19, expressed concern the conflict in the region has impacted civilians, including children.

“Ako ay nananawagan sa aking mga kapwa Pilipino na ipahayag ang isang tigil-putukan at dalhin ang usapin ng kapayapaan sa mesa,” Duterte said.

At the same time, she called for unity among the parties in the country in issuing a collective appeal for lasting peace in the region to end the suffering of civilians.

“Ating ipanawagan ang pagkakaisa ng mga partido upang maglabas ng kolektibong pananawagan para sa pangmatagalang kapayapaan at wakasan ang pagdurusa at kahirapan na nararanasan ng mga sibilyan lalo na ang pangangalaga sa kapakanan ng mga bata,” the VPES further said.

Israel’s latest assault on Gaza began after fighters from Hamas, the Palestinian armed resistance movement governing the occupied Strip, launched a surprise attack on October 7 just outside the besieged enclave on Israeli territory.

(ai/mnm)