Netanyahu says he will convene government to approve agreement with Hamas

Hamas also confirmed the agreement with Israel. “We deeply appreciate the efforts of our mediating brothers in Qatar, Egypt and Turkey. We also value the efforts of US President Donald Trump, who seeks a definitive end to the war and a complete withdrawal from the occupation of the Gaza Strip.”

The extremist group demands that Israel fulfill all the requirements of the agreement. “We call on President Trump, the guarantor states of the agreement and various Arab, Islamic and international parties to force the occupation government to fully implement the requirements of the agreement and not allow it to evade or delay the implementation of what has been agreed.”

Agreement should be signed tomorrow in Cairo, capital of Egypt. The country also participates in the negotiations.

Hostage exchange must take place within 72 hours of implementation of the agreement. According to AFP, the Palestinians who can be released are divided between those sentenced to life imprisonment and those detained by Israel since the beginning of the conflict.

20 Israeli hostages are reportedly still alive after two years in captivity. Their health status, as well as their fate, however, is uncertain. In some cases, hostages believed to be alive were returned to Israel in a coffin, such as French-Israeli Ohad Yahalomi in February.

We are ready for any scenario, says the Israeli Army. “The Chief of the General Staff instructed all forces, both on the front lines and in the rear areas, to prepare strong defenses and be ready for any scenario. (…) At the same time, the Chief of the General Staff instructed the preparation to lead the hostage return operation, which must be conducted with sensitivity and professionalism”, says an excerpt from the statement.