Netanyahu says deal to release hostages held in Gaza has been reached
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said a deal to return hostages held in the Gaza Strip has been reached, after his office had said earlier there were last-minute snags in finalising a ceasefire that would pause 15 months of war.
Netanyahu said he would convene his security Cabinet later on Friday and then the government to approve the long-awaited agreement.
Netanyahu's statement appeared to clear the way for the Israeli government to approve of the deal, which would pause the fighting in the Gaza Strip and see dozens of hostages held by militants in Gaza released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. It would also allow hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to return to the remains of their homes in Gaza.
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