Israel's government approved a deal early Wednesday to free 50 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners languishing in Israeli jails and a truce, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This announcements are the most optimistic yet of a potential breakthrough in the war, which has been raging for more than six weeks and left more than 14,100 Palestinians in Gaza killed, most of them civilians.
Hamas have also agreed to the terms of the truce deal, mediated by Qatar.
According to a report by Al-Araby Al-Jadeed, the summary of the deal is as follows:
- The release of at least 50 Israeli detainees in stages, according to a list of names, with emphasis on children and mothers.
- The method of release: for each Israeli detainee, three Palestinians will be released, amounting to 150 people.
- A ceasefire for four days in Gaza.
- Israel extends the days of truce in exchange for other detainees.
- The release of Palestinian male and female prisoners.
- The entry of a large amount of fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Though Benjamin Netanyahu has accepted these terms, he has also said that the deal does not mean an end to what he describes as Israel's war against Hamas.
“We are at war, and we will continue the war,” he said. “We will continue until we achieve all our goals." he said.