After a last minute crisis was solved, officials in Israel and the U.S. confirmed an agreement for a cease-fire and hostage release has been reached. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will hold a press conference in the evening hours.
In order to approve the deal, the political-security cabinet will convene Thursday morning at 11:00, and immediately afterward a government meeting will be held, at the end of which the list of prisoners who will be released as part of the agreement will be published.
The Prime Minister's Office announced following the achievement of the agreement that there are still “a number of clauses” in the hostage-ceasefire deal that have yet to be finally agreed upon," and that “the details will be finalized tonight."
According to the statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his strong stand blocked Hamas' last minute demand regarding the deployment of IDF forces along the Philadelphi Corridor.
President-elect Donald Trump announced the deal on his Truth Social account. writing in all caps "WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY. THANK YOU!"
Crowds took to the streets in the Gaza Strip to celebrate after hearing the news that a cease-fire agreement was reached between Israel and Hamas, chanting: 'We are the people of Muhammad Deif.'
According to a report on Reuters the first phase of the agreement will last for six weeks and include a gradual withdrawal of IDF troops from central Gaza and the return of displaced Gaza residents to the northern areas of the Strip. Hamas will release 33 hostages including all of the women, IDF soldiers among them, the two Bibas children and men over the age of 50.
<< Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play: https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store: https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv >>
The agreement as it was reported said Hamas would release hostages under the age of 19 and then the men and the elderly, and Israel would free 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for every hostage freed from captivity and 50 prisoners for every female soldier. Israel will also free all Palestinian women held in prison and children under the age of 19 and all those arrested since October 7, 2023 in the first phase.
In the sixth week, Hisham al-Sayed and Abra Mengistu, who will be among the first 33 hostages, will be released. In the same week, Israel will release 47 prisoners from the Shalit deal who were rearrested.
The name of the operation given by the IDF to prepare for the return of the hostages from the Gaza Strip within the framework of the outline between Israel and Hamas is "Wings of Freedom," the IDF announced Wednesday evening.