Israel and Hamas are thought to be close to agreeing a deal which could halt the war in Gaza and see the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners. The BBC’s US partner CBS has been told by Arab, US and Israeli officials that an agreement has been reached in principle and, if all goes well, will be finalised by Israel and Hamas this week. It would be the most dramatic breakthrough in 15 months of war, which began when the armed Palestinian group Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023.
It is hoped that a ceasefire deal will mean an agreement to stop the war which has been raging in Gaza. It is also expected to see an exchange of hostages and prisoners. Hamas seized 251 hostages when it attacked Israel in October 2023. It is still holding 94 captive, although Israel believes that only 60 are still alive.
Israel is expected to release about 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, some jailed for years, in return for the hostages. The ceasefire is expected to happen in three stages, once a deal is announced.
Source link
