Hamas, Israel reach an agreement for the release of hostages
(VOVWORLD) - Israel's government voted Wednesday to back a deal for Palestinian Hamas militants to free 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza in exchange for a four-day pause in fighting, the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.
 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at an event on July 5 (Photo: AFP/ VNA) |
Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages, taken when its fighters surged into Israel on October 7. A statement by the Prime Minister's Office said 50 women and children will be released over four days, during which there will be a pause in fighting.
The World Health Organization said on Tuesday that it is planning to evacuate three hospitals in Gaza. The three hospitals – Al Shifa, the Indonesian Hospital, and Al Ahli Hospital, have come under bombardment in the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict.