Israel Greenlights Hostage Agreement with Hamas

Israel's cabinet has approved a deal to release a minimum of 50 hostages, including women and children from Gaza, in a move expected to bring about a significant reduction in fighting since the beginning of the conflict with Hamas. The agreement includes a four-day truce in Israel's air and ground campaign in Gaza, with reports indicating that the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails is also part of the deal. Initially, it was reported that approximately 150 Palestinian prisoners, mainly women and children, would be set free.

The Israeli cabinet gave its approval to the deal with a strong majority, according to a government source speaking to CNN. The statement also indicated the possibility of extending the truce beyond the initial four days, with an additional day added for every ten hostages released.

Israel has also stated its intention to recommence its air and ground campaign "to fully eliminate Hamas" once the current hostage releases are completed. The Israeli military reports that there are 239 hostages in Gaza, including citizens from 26 different countries. These mass abductions occurred on October 7th during coordinated attacks by Hamas militants, resulting in approximately 1,200 fatalities - marking the largest attack on Israel since its establishment in 1948.

Numerous hostages were taken at gunpoint as Hamas launched a violent rampage in border communities near the Gaza Strip and the nearby Nova music festival.

In response to the attacks, Israel enforced a blockade on Gaza, restricting the flow of essential supplies such as food, water, medicines, and fuel. Additionally, they carried out a persistent air and ground assault, leading to a severe humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

More than 12,000 people have died in Gaza since October 7, according to the Hamas-run governments press office.

People look at pictures of Hamas' hostages during a demonstration in Tel Aviv, Israel, calling for their release on November 11.

Ahmad Gharabli/AFP/Getty Images

Israel has reached a hostage deal with Hamas, resulting in the release of just a few hostages. On October 20, two Americans, Judith Tai Raanan and her 17-year-old daughter Natalie Raanan, were freed on humanitarian grounds after negotiations between Qatar and Hamas.

Shortly after, two Israeli women, Nurit Cooper and Yocheved Lifshitz, were also set free. Lifshitz recounted her harrowing experience, describing how she was forcibly taken from her home and transported on a motorcycle before being led into a network of tunnels.

Approximately 8,300 Palestinian prisoners are currently held in Israeli jails, as reported by Qadura Fares, the head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, a non-governmental organization. More than 3,000 of these prisoners are in "administrative detention," meaning they are being held without knowledge of the charges against them or an ongoing legal process, according to Israeli authorities.

This is a developing story and will be updated.