Updated 5.30am 22.11.23
Israel's cabinet last night approved a deal to release about 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. The hostages, mainly women and children, will be exchanged for about 150 security prisoners, women and youths, held in Israel.
Israel will also agree to a four day truce, which could be extended in exchange for more hostages. Israel will also allow more significant amounts of fuel, equipment and humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The first hostages are expected to be exchanged on Thursday. There is an option for extending the truce by 24 hours for each 10 more hostages released.
The cabinet had already given the green light for the deal in principle and the discussions last night revolved around technical aspects of implementing the agreement. Only Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and the ministers from his Otzma Yehudit party voted against the deal.
Earlier today, Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Dr. Majed al Ansari said, "We are working towards an agreement taking place and we are now at the closest point we ever have been in reaching and an agreement. We are very optimistic, we are very hopeful, but we are also very keen for this mediation to succeed in reaching a humanitarian truce."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed this optimism. He said, when meeting the IDF's 8101 battalion. "We are moving forward. I don't think it is worth saying too much at this stage. But I hope to have some good news soon.
He added, "Our number one target remains the elimination of Hamas and we won't stop until this is implemented. We want to restore security and we will act to restore security for both the south and the north."
Published by Globes, Israel business news - en.globes.co.il - on November 21, 2023.
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