Israel and Hamas agree to pause fighting for release of 50 hostages

Under the broad contours of the deal, 50 hostages will be released within the first four days in exchange for 150 Palestinian security prisoners and a pause in the fighting during those 96 hours.

The government approved early Wednesday morning a partial hostage deal that includes a pause in the Gaza war in exchange for a release of up to 80 out of over 239 people seized by terrorists during Hamas’s infiltration of southern Israel on October 7.

“I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” US President Joe Biden said after the vote, which took place after hours of debate.

American citizens are among those held hostage and the US has been heavily involved in negotiations for the deal, which is expected to go into effect on Thursday.