The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Friday that it had “reached an agreement on the release of hostages” held in the Gaza Strip, adding that a meeting of the security cabinet was scheduled for the day. “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached for the release of the hostages,” his office said in a statement.
The prime minister’s office on Thursday accused Hamas of going back on key points of the agreement to extract last-minute concessions, which Hamas denied. “The Prime Minister has ordered the political and security cabinet to meet tomorrow (Friday). The government will then meet to approve the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.
He added that the families of the hostages had been informed and preparations were being made to welcome them.
The truce should begin on Sunday
If approved by the Israeli cabinet, the truce agreement will begin on Sunday and involve the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. The conditions for a permanent end to the fighting must be finalized in a next step.
-The agreement was announced on Wednesday by the mediators, Qatar and the United States.
Belgium
