Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called a meeting of both the war cabinet and the entire government on Tuesday. “release of hostages.”
While rumors intensified about an imminent agreement with the Islamist group Hamas to release a group of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and a ceasefire, Netanyahu said in a statement from his office, “I hope good news will come soon.” temporary fever.
The president first called a meeting of the war cabinet at 18:00 Israeli time (16:00 GMT), then the political and security cabinet at 19:00 (17:00 GMT), and finally the entire government. 20:00 (18:00 GMT).
The statement stated that these meetings were held “in light of the developments regarding the release of the hostages.”
Media Israelis guessed the reason for these meetings It is necessary to give the necessary approval from the government to the agreement negotiated between the USA, Egypt and Qatar.
Referring to the possibility of the release of the hostages in his meeting with soldiers today, Netanyahu said, “We are moving forward. Even now, I do not think it is worth talking too much.” said.
Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Majed al-Ansari said at a press conference today: “An agreement on the hostage exchange between Hamas and Israel is close. Only some logistical and non-essential details are missing, so the exchange of hostages is not possible.” can be resolved.”
Egyptian security sources told EFE today that the agreement will include a five-day temporary ceasefire, during which 50 hostages held by Hamas will be released in exchange for 300 Palestinian prisoners in Israel.
The sources also detailed that those released would be children and women, and that their release would be “staged at a rate of 10 Israeli prisoners per day compared to 30 Palestinian prisoners.”
They also emphasized that: Agreement will allow 300 trucks to enter Gaza Strip with food, medical and fuel assistance.
Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’s political wing in exile in Qatar, confirmed on Tuesday that the group was close to reaching a ceasefire agreement with Israel after a month and a half of war that left more than 14,500 people dead. The vast majority are in Gaza.
Israel declared war on Hamas on October 7, following the Islamist group’s offensive that included rocket fire and the infiltration of nearly 3,000 militants who brutally killed nearly 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 240 in Israeli communities near the Gaza Strip.
Israel’s air, naval and ground forces have since launched an offensive against the Palestinian enclave, which has claimed more than 13,300 dead, mostly children and women, as well as more than 6,500 missing who may be buried under the rubble. get even higher.