Israel deals for release of 50 hostages in exchange for 'multi-day ceasefire'

Amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, the Israeli cabinet has now voted to approve an agreement to secure the release of around 50 hostages who were abducted and taken into Gaza by Hamas after its October 07 surprise and unprecedented attack. The deal was made early on Wednesday to secure the hostages in exchange for a multi-day ceasefire, according to The Times of Israel.

Israel deals with Hamas, now to do multi-day ceasefire

However, the details of the deal are yet to be disclosed publicly. But, on Tuesday, an Israeli government official told media that the agreement could help to secure the release of 50 Israelis, mostly women and children, in groups of 12-13 people per day.

This is the first time since the war against Hamas erupted that Israel has agreed to a ceasefire for four days, finally giving in after constant pressure from the international community.

Israel’s moves ahead of this deal

Taking note of the deal, Israel will now allow the release of the Palestinian women and children languishing in prisons and let them get back to their homes, mostly in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. However, they have not revealed how many would be released, still, local media reports put the figure at 150.

Moreover, Israel also agreed to permit additional fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza. Amid the war, the country had blocked the supply of fuel, water and electricity to Gaza, fearing it could benefit Hamas, even as the besieged Palestinian enclave faced an unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

Hamas claims to hold 210 hostages

Meanwhile, Hamas claims to hold 210 of around 240 hostages abducted in the October 07 attack, including 40 children. Further, the Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian terror group, is believed to hold the remaining hostages.

As per the latest deal, ground and air operations conducted by the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip would be paused, except in the north, where hostilities would be stopped for six hours daily, according to an Israeli official.