Israel and Hamas have reached a deal to halt the fighting in the Gaza Strip and free more than a third of the Israeli hostages, who have had to endure more than 15 months of captivity, officials say.
The breakthrough deal is the first of its kind in more than a year. It will create a 42-day cease-fire in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory.
The pause in fighting will allow Israel and the terror group Hamas to negotiate the terms to release the 97 hostages remaining in Gaza.
Only 60 hostages are believed to be alive, including three Americans: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen and Keith Siegel.
During the initial phase of the cease-fire , Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for Israel freeing of hundreds of Palestinians imprisoned in jails.
The initial wave of hostages would include women, children, men over 50 and those who are wounded and sick.
It remains unclear who will be among those released, but it would finally shed light on the status of some of the hostages, including the Bibas toddlers, whom Hamas claimed are dead but have yet to provide any confirmation.
The first day of the cease-fire is expected to see the freedom of three hostages as a sign of good will and compliance.
With Post wires
