The Times of Israel reports a source familiar with the developing hostage deal has noted Hamas will release at least 50 Israeli hostages, mainly women and children, in exchange for a ceasefire of four days, the release of between 150 and 300 Palestinian prisoners, and the entry of fuel and other goods into Gaza.
The source says no Palestinian prisoners convicted of murder will be released in the agreement. Additionally, immediately following the phases of the hostage releases, Israel will continue its military campaign against Hamas in Gaza.
As the ceasefire takes effect, 12-13 hostages will be released per day , the source says, adding that Israel will release women and minor prisoners, with each returning to the city or town where they lived prior to imprisonment, including the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Israel will receive a list of the names of those to be released by Hamas a day before their release. As for the Palestinian prisoners, the public will have 24 hours by law to petition against any of these planned prisoner releases. According to the source, Israel’s security establishment is in favor of the imminent agreement.
As part of the deal, the source says fuel that will enter Gaza will only be brought in during the ceasefire. The Times reports, “There will be six hours a day when the IDF will not use drones to gather intelligence on activity in the Strip; however, the IDF and Shin Bet will maintain the ability to continue gathering intelligence even during the pause in fighting, the source says.”
The deal will also include a second stage to the agreement by which Hamas will act to locate women and children held by other terror factions in Gaza ahead of their possible release. The source says Israel believes Hamas may prove able to locate and release up to 30 further Israeli women and children.
The halt in the fighting could be extended for additional days in exchange for 10 further releases per extra day, the source says. It is expected that the deal will be approved by the full cabinet tonight in Israel, after which Israel will subsequently publish the details of Palestinian prisoners to be freed, the source says.
