Israel and Hamas consider a deal to release hostages

Israeli leaders meet to consider a deal that would see the release of dozens of hostages seized by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

JUANA SUMMERS, HOST:

After more than six weeks of war, Israel’s government has agreed to a deal that would see Hamas release some hostages held in Gaza. However, Hamas did not immediately say that it had given its approval. The proposal also calls for a temporary cease-fire that would last for a few days as the releases take place. For the latest, we’re joined by NPR’s Greg Myre in Tel Aviv. Greg, what can you tell us about this deal?

GREG MYRE, BYLINE: So Israel’s government met late into the night and finally approved the deal around 3 a.m. Wednesday, Israel time. This was announced in a brief government statement. Now, Hamas leaders had been saying hours earlier that the deal was very close, but they have not formally announced an approval in conjunction with Israel. We’re also waiting to hear possibly from Qatar, the country that mediated this deal. Now, it calls for the release of 50 Israeli women and children who have been held by Hamas in Gaza since the attack on October 7.

And the other part of these negotiations, though it’s not in the Israeli government’s statement, is that Israel would release 150 Palestinian women and teenagers who are held in Israeli prisons. Now, there would still be a day before the fighting stops and these exchanges begin. And since it’s already Wednesday morning here, we’d be looking probably at Thursday morning. And when this exchange does start, not all of those will be released at once. So this would play out over four days.

SUMMERS: I mean, hearing you say there that the fighting will stop in order for these exchanges to begin, that sounds significant. Say more about that.

MYRE: Oh, absolutely, Juana. This would be the first pause in the fighting since it began more than six weeks ago. And…