GAZATEL AVIV Israel – Some hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the militant groups attack last month on Israel could be released a
GAZA/TEL AVIV, Israel – Some hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip following the militant group’s attack last month on Israel could be released as early as Thursday, after an agreement announced by Qatar that includes Israeli forces pausing their attacks on Gaza for four days.
Qatar said Hamas would release 50 women and children, while Israel would also release “a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons.”
The agreement announced early Wednesday came after weeks of negotiations led by Qatar, the United States and Egypt, according to a senior U.S. administration official.
The U.S. official said the hostages released by Hamas were expected to include several Americans.
Black smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike on the outskirts of Aita al-Shaab, a Lebanese border village with Israel, Nov. 21, 2023.
“I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical leadership and partnership in reaching this deal,” U.S. President Joe Biden said in a statement.
