Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day ceasefire in order to allow for the release of hostages held by both sides.
The Qatar Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that a pause in fighting would be announced “within the next 24 hours” as part of a two-phase deal, according to Axios. In the first phase, more than 50 Israeli hostages taken captive by Hamas on Oct. 7, will be freed, while roughly 150 Palestinian prisoners will be freed by Israel.
“The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” the Qatari Foreign Ministry said in its statement.
BREAKING: The Israeli cabinet approved a deal in which Hamas will free dozens of Israeli hostages in exchange for a four-day pause in fighting in Gaza and the release of dozens of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
— Axios (@axios) November 22, 2023
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During this time, Israel will allow roughly 300 humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza from Egypt, in addition to more fuel, an Israeli official confirmed.
In the second phase, additional hostages held by Hamas could possibly be released as fighting is paused for more days.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with the full Israeli cabinet on Tuesday evening to discuss approval of the hostage deal with Hamas, according to The Times of Israel.
“We are advancing,” Netanyahu said expressing hopefulness regarding the deal. “I don’t think I should say too much, even now, but I hope we have good news soon.”
The ceasefire agreement comes after the release of four hostages out of more than 200 people taken hostage by Hamas in the aftermath of a surprise attack on Israel, which left 1,400 Israelis dead.
Two elderly Israeli women, Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, and Nurit Cooper, 79, along with two Americans, Judith Ranaan, 59, and her daughter, Natalie, 17, have been released by Hamas.