'Israel-Hamas conflict will stop for five days, hostages will be freed from Gaza', US claims

The US has struck a deal between Israel and Hamas to release dozens of hostages in exchange for a five-day ceasefire in Gaza. A former US official and two current officials with knowledge of the talks made this claim.

On the other hand, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his soldiers, 'We are making progress in the return of hostages. I hope good news comes soon. During the October 7 attacks, Hamas took hundreds of Israelis hostage and took them to Gaza. American citizens were also included among these hostages.

Earlier, mediators also said that a ceasefire agreement seemed close. Hamas leader and key mediator Qatar has said a ceasefire deal with Israel is close. Meanwhile, Netanyahu's office said in a statement that the War Cabinet, Security Cabinet and the government will meet regarding the release of our people held hostage. The temporary agreement would include an exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners as well as a five-day ceasefire.

“We want to restore security,” Netanyahu said. We will continue our work and ensure security in the south and north (of the country). The Israeli Prime Minister told the soldiers, 'I salute you and want to tell you that we will continue the war until victory.' AFP quoted Hamas as saying that the agreement includes a complete ceasefire on the ground in the Gaza Strip and an end to Israeli air strikes on Palestinian territory except the northern areas.

More than 12,700 Palestinians have been killed since Israel started retaliating. Two-thirds of these include women and children. At the same time, about 400 people are missing. About 1200 Israeli people have been killed in Hamas attacks and about 250 people have been taken prisoner.