FOG BLOG WORLD LOG: HAMAS AGREES TO TEMORARY CEASE FIRE & HOSTAGE RELEASE IN ONGOING CONFLICT!

Hamas agrees to release 50 hostages, temporary cease-fire with Israel A deal has been reached to release 50 women and children who were kidnapped by Hamas and is set to go into effect sometime Thursday, following intensive international negotiations over the course of a month and a half, according to U.S. officials, the Israeli government and a statement from Hamas.

Israel and Hamas agreed to implement a temporary cease-fire for four days to allow for the safe transfer of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The release of hostages is expected to trigger the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, per a Hamas demand.

The U.S. believes that there are more children and women beyond the 50 that Hamas had identified for release, with a senior U.S. administration official telling reporters in a call Tuesday night that Hamas has not been able to provide a comprehensive list of all the people who were kidnapped from Israel.

The U.S. expects Hamas to work throughout the pause in fighting to identify additional women and children to be released.

“The deal is now structured for women and children in the first phase, but with an expectation for further releases and the aim, the clear aim, is to bring all hostages home to their families,” the official said.