Israel, Hamas Agree To Temporary Ceasefire, Hostage Release

The Israeli government and Hamas agreed to a brief cease-fire in Gaza to allow for the release of 50 hostages captured in Israel and the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, Qatar said early Wednesday. Via the New York Times:

The cease-fire’s start will be announced within the next 24 hours, and it will last for at least four days, said the government of Qatar, which helped lead the negotiations. It added that the pause in fighting would also allow for more aid and fuel to reach civilians in Gaza.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office announced its approval of the deal in a WhatsApp message early Wednesday. If the multiday pause holds, it would be the longest halt in hostilities since Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks prompted Israel to begin its bombardment and subsequent ground invasion of Gaza.

Mr. Netanyahu’s office said women and children would be among the hostages released and that “the release of every 10 additional hostages will result in an additional day in the pause.”

“The Israeli government is committed to bringing all the hostages home,” the government added.

Less than an hour later, Hamas said in a statement on Telegram that it too had agreed to the deal.

“After many days of difficult and complex negotiations, we announce, with the help and blessing of God, that we have reached a humanitarian truce,” the Hamas statement read.

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