Hostage deal to see release of at least 50 Israeli hostages, mainly women and children

The deal taking shape for the release of hostages held by Hamas and other terrorists in Gaza will see at least 50 Israeli abductees freed in the coming days, Channel 12 reports.

The current agreement set to be finalized today, according to reports in Israel, is focused on Israeli hostages, mainly women and children, with talks on releasing foreign hostages not currently on the table.

Hamas and other terror factions in Gaza abducted some 240 people from Israel during the October 7 atrocities, including some 40 children, plus elderly people and dozens of Thai and Nepali nationals.

AFP reports that two sources with knowledge of the tentative deal have said that between 50 and 100 civilian hostages from Israel would be released in the deal, but no military personnel.

The transfer would span several days, with 10 hostages and 30 Palestinians prisoners to be released each day.

According to the same sources, the deal includes a “complete ceasefire” on the ground for four to five days.

Channel 12 says the burgeoning hostage deal will include the release of some 150 to 300 Palestinian prisoners in Israel, among them female and minor prisoners.

The deal will also provide for between 100 and 300 trucks of food and medical aid, as well as fuel, to enter Gaza, the sources tell AFP.

Channel 12 says the hostage releases could begin on Thursday or Friday. The report says the ceasefire could be extended to allow the release of more hostages following the initial 50 or so.