The Israeli government voted that night for the agreement with Hamas. “At least 50 abductees – women and children – will be released within four days, during which there will be a lull in fighting,” said a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office. “The release of ten additional abductees will result in one more abduction every Armistice Day,” the note said. Benjamin Netanyahu said the agreement with Hamas was “a difficult but right decision.”
The Foreign Minister Antony Blinken he plans to travel to Israel early next week. It will be Blinken’s fourth trip since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
03:54
The Israeli government’s full statement on the agreement
“The government of Israel is committed to bringing all hostages home. Tonight the government approved the first phase plan to achieve this goal, under which at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released within four days, during which a pause in fighting will take place. The release of ten more hostages will lead to another day of pause. “The government of Israel, the Israeli army and the security services will continue the war to bring all hostages home, complete the “elimination of Hamas and ensure that there is no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza.”
03:53
USA, three Americans among the hostages that Hamas will release
Three American citizens, including a child, are among the hostages released by Hamas. This was reported by a senior US official in a briefing with a small group of journalists. According to the US government, the hostages will be released starting Thursday.
03:02
Hamas confirms exchange: 1 Israeli for 3 Palestinians
Hamas confirms that it has agreed to the release of around 50 women and children hostage in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons. This is what the Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” writes.
02:42
The Israeli government confirms that the agreement is fine, but does not mention the exchange
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has released a formal statement confirming the government’s decision to approve the first hostage deal in the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
“The Israeli government is committed to bringing all those abducted home. This evening the government approved the plan for the first phase of achieving this goal, according to which at least 50 abductees – women and children – will be released within four days “Be a respite from the fighting,” the statement said.
“The release of ten additional abductees will lead to an additional day of ceasefire,” it said.
“The Israeli government, IDF and security forces will continue the war to return all abductees, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that Gaza does not pose a renewed threat to the State of Israel.”
The statement did not provide details of other concessions Israel is believed to have made, including the release of Palestinian prisoners and the delivery of additional fuel and humanitarian aid to Gaza.
(afp) 02:30
Media: Israeli government agrees to hostage deal
The Israeli government has voted for a temporary ceasefire agreement with Hamas. The deal involves the exchange of Hamas hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons. Thirty abducted children, eight mothers and 12 other women will be released as part of a five-day ceasefire, according to a senior Israeli official. This is what the Israeli newspaper “Haaretz” writes.
According to sources, all branches of the Israeli security services – the IDF, the Shin Bet and the Mossad – support the agreement.
Netanyahu also stressed that the ceasefire does not mean the end of the Israeli campaign in the Gaza Strip.
00:48
The USA responds with an air strike against militia members in Iraq
A US warplane in Iraq killed several Iranian-backed militants after they fired a short-range missile at US and allied personnel in the country.
00:39
Jordan is increasing its presence on the borders with Israel
Jordan is increasing its army presence along its borders with Israel and has warned that any Israeli attempt to force Palestinians across the Jordan River would be a violation of the peace deal.
Prime Minister Aktuell Khasawneh said his country would use “all means in its power” to prevent Israel from implementing a transfer policy aimed at expelling Palestinians from the West Bank en masse.
00:28
“Blinken will visit Israel next week”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken plans to travel to Israel early next week. Two informed sources told Axios.
It will be Blinken’s fourth trip since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7.
