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On November 22, the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported an agreement to release a number of hostages being held by Hamas forces in the Gaza Strip. The agreement was approved with a majority vote at a cabinet meeting.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office said the deal would allow for the release of 50 women and children over four days, during which there would also be a ceasefire. Israel would also release 150 Palestinian prisoners. The hostages are expected to be released within 24 hours of the announcement. The first hostages could be released tomorrow morning, November 23.
According to Israel, Hamas has been holding about 240 hostages since the conflict broke out on October 7. Hamas also confirmed a four-day humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Photos of hostages in the Gaza Strip are placed in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: REUTERS |
The ceasefire could be extended if more hostages are released. Under Israel's proposal, every 10 hostages released would add one day of ceasefire. The truce also allows hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, medicine and fuel into the Gaza Strip.
The agreement came after weeks of intense negotiations between Israel, Hamas and the United States, with Qatar acting as a key mediator. Qatar handed over a draft hostage deal to Israel on November 21.
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