The government is set to convene at 8 PM Tuesday night to weigh a partial hostage deal that could include a release of up to 80 out of over 239 people seized by terrorists during Hamas’ infiltration of southern Israel on October 7.
The deal could include an initial release of 50 hostages, expected to be women and children, within the first four days in exchange for a pause in the fighting, a senior Israeli source told reporters on Tuesday evening.
All those in that original grouping are Israeli citizens.
There is a possibility for the release of an additional 30 hostages should the pause in the fighting be extended.
Hamas could release Thai citizens
Separately Hamas may unilaterally free those among the hostages who have Thai citizenship. It’s also possible that other governments may work out other deals for their citizens held in Gaza.
As part of the deal fuel can enter Gaza during the pause in the fighting. There will be a six-hour window each day during which IDF aerial surveillance of Gaza will be halted.
“There are other intelligence-gathering capabilities. We will not be blind in those 6 hours when there are no drones and balloons in the air,” the official said.
The IDF, the Mossad, and the Shin Bet are in favor of the broad outline of the deal.
The deal will be debated first by the war cabinet at 6 PM, by the second cabinet at 7 pm, and then by the government.
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