Israel-Hamas War: Israel and Hamas Reach Deal to Release 50 Hostages — Latest Updates

The Israeli cabinet approved the agreement after a long deliberation that went into the early morning hours of Wednesday in Jerusalem.

Last Updated:

Nov. 22, 2023 at 3:14 AM EST

Hostage Agreement Marks First Major Diplomatic Breakthrough Since War Began

The agreement between Israel and Hamas to release 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza is the first major diplomatic breakthrough since the war started Oct. 7.

The deal: Israel and Hamas agreed to a deal with Hamas to free civilian hostages in return for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails and a series of pauses in fighting.

Hostages: All of those hostages to be released by militants are women and children, including at least three Americans.

Timeline: The first hostages could be freed as early as Thursday, people familiar with the deal said.

Negotiations: The Israeli cabinet approved the deal after a long deliberation that started Tuesday and went into the early morning hours of Wednesday in Jerusalem. It capped weeks of painstaking negotiations brokered by Qatar, Egypt and the U.S.

U.S. reaction: U.S. officials hailed the agreement as a major breakthrough following intensive negotiations. The hope in Washington is that the release of these hostages could lead to the release of many more, not only the ones held by Hamas but by others, including Palestinian Islamic Jihad.