On November 22, the Israeli government voted in favor of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas in exchange for the release of about 50 hostages kidnapped during an attack on the south of the country on October 7. The Times of Israel reports this with reference to a government statement.
The agreement provides for the release of 50 Israeli citizens, mostly women and children, in groups of 12-13 people a day. In exchange, for the first time since the beginning of the war, Israel agreed to a ceasefire "for at least four days." If Hamas gives up more hostages, in addition to the agreed 50, the ceasefire may be extended for another day for each group of 10 people.
According to preliminary data, Israel agrees to release 150-300 imprisoned Palestinian women and minors.
"The government confirmed these terms of the agreement after the vote, without giving details of other Israeli concessions, which are expected to include the release of female and juvenile terrorists, but not those convicted of killing Israelis," the article says.
According to the publication, Israel also agreed to allow additional fuel and some humanitarian aid into the blockaded Gaza Strip. Hamas expects that as part of the truce, Israel will reduce drone flights over southern Gaza to a few hours a day.
The first hostages may be released as early as November 23.
In the morning, US President Joe Biden positively reacted to the agreements reached.
"I applaud the agreement to release the hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal attack on Israel on October 7. I am delighted that these brave souls, who have gone through unspeakable ordeals, will be reunited with their families once this agreement is fully implemented," he wrote on Twitter.
