Israel reaches agreement to release hostages in Gaza but promises to continue war until Hamas is eliminated

Israeli authorities reported that the War Cabinet approved an agreement for the release of dozens of hostages kidnapped by the Hamas terrorist group. According to published details, at least 50 people would be released as part of this negotiation.

The current agreement focuses on Israeli hostages, mainly women and children. At the moment, talks about releasing foreign hostages are not on the table.

According to The Jerusalem Post report, the hostages will be released over four days in exchange for a pause in the fighting that would last those 96 hours. Likewise, Israel has agreed to release around a hundred Palestinian women and minors detained for security-related crimes that are not directly related to terrorist attacks.

"Hamas and other terrorist factions in Gaza kidnapped about 240 people from Israel during the October 7 atrocities, including about 40 children, as well as the elderly and dozens of Thai and Nepalese citizens," the Times of Israel detailed.

Yesterday, John Kirby, a White House National Security Council spokesman, announced that an agreement to release the prisoners was very close. Meanwhile, President Joe Biden confirmed this on Tuesday. Although he could not offer details about the treaty, he said, "We are now closer than before."

The release begins on Thursday

Israeli ministers attending the cabinet session were briefed on the possibility of the initial release of hostages taking place on Thursday.

Netanyahu assures that the war in Gaza will continue

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explained that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) would resume the fighting once the agreement was carried out.

"I want to clarify. We are at war and will continue to be at war until we obtain all our objectives, to destroy Hamas and to return all our captives and missing persons," he assured.