The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that a deal to release the hostages had been reached, and negotiations involved representatives from Israel, Hamas, the U.S., and Qatar.
This deal, initially announced on Wednesday, had faced delays due to Hamas seeking additional concessions.
The security cabinet is set to meet to ratify the agreement, after which it will be presented to the full government for approval. The deal, which is expected to begin on Sunday, will first release three Israeli hostages. Despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza, the ceasefire deal is intended to allow for a temporary pause in hostilities and initiate the hostage exchange process.
The deal will unfold in three phases, with the first phase involving the release of 33 hostages and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza’s densely populated areas. Humanitarian aid will also be allowed into Gaza. The second phase, starting on day 16, will focus on releasing the remaining hostages and a full Israeli troop withdrawal, while the third phase will include the return of any remaining hostages’ bodies and the reconstruction of Gaza.
