Israel and Hamas announced they have agreed on a temporary deal that would allow the release of 50 hostages kidnapped by Hamas in exchange for a group of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
According to Israeli officials, groups of 12-13 hostages will be released each day, and there may be 30 more hostages released and that the pause in fighting could be extended “by a day for each group of 10 more Israeli hostages”.
Officials from Qatar, which has been mediating negotiations, have been saying for days a deal was in the works.
In a statement released on Telegram, Hamas confirmed a “truce agreement based on our responsibility towards our patient Palestinian people” and “to provide relief and heal their wounds.”
“While we announce the arrival of a truce agreement, we affirm that our hands will remain on the trigger, and our victorious battalions will remain on the lookout to defend our people and defeat the occupation and aggression,” the statement said.
“We promise our people that we will remain loyal to their blood, their sacrifices, their patience, their bond, and their aspirations for liberation, freedom, the restoration of rights, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital, God willing.”
