Israel’s Cabinet approves deal for release of 50 hostages in exchange for multi-day ceasefire

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's cabinet approved a temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza a month and a half after the start of the Israel-Hamas war. A four-day ceasefire has been approved. The ceasefire was agreed on talks mediated by Qatar.

According to the agreement, Hamas will release 50 hostages captured and imprisoned on October 7. The Israeli Prime Minister's Office released a statement clarifying this. However, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has made it clear that the war will not end completely. It also reported that 150 Palestinian prisoners under the custody of Israel will be released. Hamas will release hostages including women and children.

The deal was approved after a night long meeting chaired by Benjamin Netanyahu. ‘It is a difficult decision, but it's the right one,’ he told ministers after the meeting.

The decision is to extend the ceasefire by one day for every ten hostages released. All hostages will be brought to the country. A statement released by the Prime Minister's Office said the Israeli government and military will continue to fight to completely eliminate Hamas and ensure that no further threats arise from Gaza. Hamas also issued a statement welcoming the ceasefire agreement. Hamas also said they would release 150 Palestinians from Israeli prisons.