Hopes for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas. Progress is being made on hostage release negotiations, says Benjamin Netanyahu
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said "we are making progress" in freeing the hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7 and taken to Gaza. The leader of Hamas previously said the group was close to reaching a "ceasefire agreement" with Israel, raising hopes of a pause in hostilities that could lead to the release of the hostages, writes the BBC.
If a deal for the hostages is reached, it could be approved by Israel within "hours," according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's top adviser.
"If an arrangement is made for the release of our hostages, a decision by the Israeli government is needed, and I think that can be done very quickly. I think we are talking about hours. "I hope we will see the liberation of our people soon, but I'm not 100% sure yet," Mark Regev told the BBC.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says he is convening his war cabinet tonight "in light of developments related to the release of the abductees." After the 6pm meeting, Netanyahu also has meetings planned with the security council and his cabinet.
For any deal to go ahead, it must be approved by the three groups Netanyahu has set up meetings with tonight, the BBC reports.
