Israel and Hamas agree to ceasefire in exchange for hostages.

The Israeli government has approved an agreement with Hamas to bring a temporary halt to the devastating siege that has stretched on for over six weeks. Under the deal, Hamas will release dozens of hostages being held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli prisons.

The government said the first hostages to be released would be women and children, and that it would extend the lull by an additional day for every 10 hostages released. Qatar, who acted as mediators with Hamas, said the deal includes the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, and that it would allow additional humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The start time of the truce will be announced within the next day. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas after the ceasefire expires, and emphasised that the country is still at war. He said the battle would continue until ‘Gaza will not threaten Israel.’

Israel has vowed to continue the war until it destroys Hamas’ military capabilities and returns all hostages. Mr Netanyahu said intelligence efforts will be maintained during the lull, allowing the army time to prepare for the next stages of battle.

The announcement came as Israeli troops battled Palestinian militants in an urban refugee camp in northern Gaza and around hospitals overcrowded with patients and sheltering families. Over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed during Israel’s six-week siege of Gaza following the October 7 attacks, and Gaza health officials say the toll has risen sharply since.

Mr Biden welcomed the agreement to release at least 50 hostages being held in Gaza, and stressed that ‘it is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented.’ He said the agreement should release some American hostages, and added, ‘I will not stop until they are all released.’

The United States President said Mr Netanyahu has committed to supporting an ‘extended pause’ to make sure not only all hostages are released but that humanitarian assistance can be sent to Palestinians in Gaza. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Biden said a deal on releasing some hostages was ‘very close.’ Izzat Rishq, a senior Hamas official, said on Tuesday that an agreement could be reached ‘in the coming hours.’

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