Israel approves deal to free 50 hostages, 150 Palestinian prisoners
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More news: Israel's cabinet has approved a deal with Hamas to free roughly 50 hostages in return for a four-day ceasefire, Bloomberg reports. The first stage of the deal, mediated by Qatar, would also include the release of around 150 Palestinian prisoners, mostly women and minors. In a statement, Israel's government said the war to destroy Hamas would continue after any pause in fighting.
Hamas and Israel leaders suggest hostage deal is close
The news: Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said group officials were "close to reaching a truce agreement", while Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he hopes there will be "good news soon."
The numbers: Around 239 people from 26 different countries are thought to be held by Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip, while four have been released to date.
The context: News of a possible truce is the most optimistic sign so far in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. If a deal transpires, it would be the first pause in hostilities in the six-week-old war.
What they said: Haniyeh said in a statement that group officials were "close to reaching a truce agreement" with Israel and the group had delivered its latest response to Qatari mediators.
Netanyahu said, according to remarks released by his office: "We are making progress. I don't think it's worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon."
US President Joe Biden told reporters that a deal to release some of hostages was near: "My team is in the region shuttling between capitals. We're now very close, very close, to bringing some of these hostages home very soon."
