Tel Aviv. The Israeli government has approved a 4-day ceasefire with the release of 150 Palestinian female and minor prisoners from prison in exchange for the release of 50 women and children held hostage by Hamas. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli government supported a deal with Palestinian Hamas militants to free 50 women and children held as hostages in Gaza.
In return, Israel will release about 150 Palestinian women and minors held in its prisons for security crimes. Those people will be released who will not be directly accused of being involved in any deadly terrorist attacks.Under the broad framework of this agreement, 50 hostages will be released within the first four days in exchange for a halt to fighting during those 96 hours.
About 40 children and 13 mothers have been taken hostage by Hamas. The approved deal includes the release of 30 children, eight mothers and 12 other women. On those days, 50 hostages will not be released together but in small groups. If the fighting is stopped for the next four days, then there is a possibility of the release of the remaining 30 hostages kept in Gaza.
All those scheduled for release are alive and have Israeli citizenship.Qatari officials are mediating the agreement between Israel and Hamas. PM Netanyahu said US President Joe Biden helped reach the agreement so that it included more hostages and some concessions. This will be the first ceasefire after Israel’s ongoing attack on Gaza for the last one and a half month.
Due to this ceasefire, humanitarian aid will also be able to reach Gaza. However, it is not clear when this ceasefire will come into effect. It is expected that the hostages can be freed from Thursday. The Israeli government said it would extend the peace by one additional day for every 10 hostages released.
