Hamas hostages to FINALLY be freed as 50 set to be released and four day cease-fire agreed
The deal was confirmed by a senior US official
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Hamas and Israel have agreed a deal for the release of a group of hostages during a four-day ceasefire.
In total 50 women and children hostages held in Gaza will be released during a four-day ceasefire in return for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.
The deal was confirmed by a senior US official, who told reporters that the freed hostages would include three Americans.
The official added that one of those Americans freed would include a three year-old girl.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the deal for the release of hostages
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The official said that the total number of hostages freed could rise and the first hostage release is expected on Thursday.
US President Joe Biden welcomed the deal, thanking Egypt and Qatar for their “critical leadership and partnership” for their part in the negotiations.
He added: “I appreciate the commitment that Prime Minister [Benjamin] Netanyahu and his government have made in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out and to ensure the provision of additional humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian families in Gaza
"It is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented."
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US Officials said that the total number of hostages freed could rise
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“Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released.”
The senior US official said: “The deal has ultimately been structured to incentivise releases beyond 50”, adding that the agreement “is now structured for women and children in the first phase, but with an expectation for further releases”.
Hamas has confirmed an agreement had been reached, calling it a “humanitarian truce” in which 150 Palestinian women and children would be freed from Israeli jails.
A spokesperson from the Israeli prime minister’s office said the “lull” in Israeli military operations would be extended for an additional day for every 10 more hostages released.
Qatar’s foreign ministry said that the ceasefire will “allow the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs”.
It added that the start time of the deal would be announced in the next 24 hours.
Israel has also agreed to allow more aid into Gaza, which is suffering an acute humanitarian crisis.
The deal is also thought to include visits by the Red Cross to remaining hostages and a distribution of medicine.
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