MIDDLE EAST CRISIS
We’re close to a deal with Israel over hostages, Hamas leader says
Agreement would see up to 100 Israelis and foreigners released as well as a five-day truce
updated
Thomas Hand’s eight-year-old daughter, Emily, is being held by Hamas
NEIL HALL/EPA
The leader of Hamas said that a deal on a truce with Israel was “close”, raising hopes that as many as 100 people taken hostage by the militant group on October 7 could be released.
“We are close to reaching a deal on a truce,” Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement sent to the AFP news agency.
The tentative agreement includes a five-day truce, comprising a ceasefire on the ground and limits to Israeli air operations over southern Gaza.
Between 50 and 100 Israeli civilian and foreign hostages would be released, but no military personnel. In exchange, 300 Palestinians would be released from Israeli jails, among them women and children. There was no immediate response from Israel.
Hamas is thought to be holding about 240
