Israel and Hamas are weighing a tentative ceasefire agreement that would allow for a five-day pause in exchange for hostages in Gaza, according to the Washington Post.
The deal was reportedly brokered between Qatari mediators in Doha, Qatar, alongside Israel, the United States and Hamas, according to the Washington Post. The agreement would pause fighting on both sides for five days to allow for humanitarian assistance to Gaza and the release of 50 hostages taken by Hamas during the attacks on Oct. 7 that left over 1,400 dead. (RELATED: ‘I Think We Are Going To Die’: Film Gives Glimpse Into Horrors Of October 7 Hamas Terrorist Attacks)
The Washington Post originally reported Saturday that a deal had been made, but National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson said in a post “We have not reached a deal yet, but we continue to work hard to get to a deal.”
The pause could take place in the next few days barring any changes to the agreement, according to the Washington Post. However, overhead surveillance would remain in place in order to ensure the pause remains in place. The hostages will reportedly be released in batches over the five-day period.
IDF soldiers walk past houses that were destroyed on Oct 7 when Hamas attacked this kibbutz near the Gaza border on November 12, 2023, in Kfar Aza, Israel. A month after Hamas’s Oct. 7 attacks, the country’s military has continued its sustained bombardment of the Gaza Strip and launched a ground invasion to vanquish the militant group that governs the Palestinian territory. (Photo by Alexi J. Rosenfeld/Getty Images)
Israeli National Security Council head Tzachi Haegbi said Friday that Israel would only consider a temporary ceasefire if there was “a massive release of our hostages … and it will be limited and short, because after that we will continue to work towards achieving our war goals,” according to the Washington Post.
An Israeli Embassy spokesperson told the Washington Post that “we are not going to comment” on the hostage situation in regards to the deal. Several hostages have already been released by Hamas in recent weeks and two were reportedly found dead by the Israeli military.
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier on Saturday that the siege in Gaza would continue, but noted that Israel would allow fuel to be brought into Gaza, according to the Washington Post.
“For international support to continue, humanitarian aid is essential,” Netanyahu said. “Because of that, we accepted the recommendation to bring fuel into Gaza.
Editor’s note: This article has been updated.
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