Officials from Qatar, acting as a conduit for secret talks, have said for days that the US, Israel and Hamas are close to a deal.
Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages, according to Israeli data, captured when the militants attacked Israel on October 7, killing 1,200 people.
50 women and children will be released within four days, according to a statement issued by the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During this time, there will be a temporary pause in the war. The moratorium will be extended by one more day for every 10 hostages released. It did not mention the release of Palestinian prisoners in return.
“The Israeli government is committed to the return home of all hostages. Tonight, the government approved the proposed settlement as a first step toward achieving this goal,” the statement said. It was released after hours of deliberation and has only now been revealed to the media.
Hamas said it would release 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails. The ceasefire agreement will allow hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, medicine and fuel to enter Gaza. The Palestinian Authority said in a statement.
Israel has pledged not to attack or arrest anyone in any part of the Gaza Strip during the ceasefire.
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