Israel approves deal to secure release of 50 hostages held by Hamas

The Israeli cabinet voted early on Wednesday to approve an agreement to secure the release of around 50 hostages who were kidnapped and taken into Gaza by Hamas when it attacked the Jewish nation on October 7. The deal was made to secure the hostages in exchange for a multi-day ceasefire, The Times of Israel reported.

The details of the deal were not made public immediately. But an Israeli government official told reporters on Tuesday that the agreement could help to secure the release of 50 Israelis, mostly women and children, in groups of 12-13 people per day. Israeli ministers who participated in the cabinet meeting said the first release of hostages will take place on Thursday, The Jerusalem Post reported.