The Israeli Cabinet has approved a four-day ceasefire and a deal with Hamas to secure the release of 50 hostages, including women and children, who have been held in Gaza since the conflict began on October 7.
However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made it clear during a late-night Cabinet meeting on Tuesday that the country will not cease its military operations.
According to a statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the terms of the deal stipulate that for every additional 10 hostages released, the pause in fighting will be extended by a day. On Wednesday morning, Hamas announced that as part of the agreement, 150 Palestinian prisoners, including women and children, held in Israeli jails will be released.
The deal also includes the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying aid relief, medical supplies, and fuel to all parts of Gaza, as mentioned in the Hamas statement. The release of the first group of hostages is expected to take place soon, according to an earlier report by IANS.
Qatar and the United States have played active roles in mediating talks between Israel and Hamas for a ceasefire. Some members of the Israeli Cabinet opposed the partial hostage deal, cautioning that it could complicate the military offensive against Hamas in Gaza and hinder the process of securing all those in captivity. However, Netanyahu dismissed this skepticism, asserting that Israel will remain at war until its objectives, including the destruction of Hamas and the release of all captives, are achieved.
This development comes more than a week after a significant breakthrough on November 12, when Hamas, after days of refusal, provided identifying information about several dozen hostages, confirming that numerous children and toddlers had been taken captive on October 7. Israeli authorities estimate that at least 236 hostages are currently held in Gaza.
(With Agency Inputs)
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