Netanyahu Says Deal Is Close On Hostages

Benjamin Netanyahu was meeting his most senior ministers yesterday evening amid strong indications his government was preparing to approve a deal for the release of some of the more than 240 mostly Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

- Jason Burke

"We are making progress. I don't think it's worth saying too much, not at even this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon," the Israeli prime minister told reservists during a visit to an army base yesterday afternoon. He did not provide further details.

Netanyahu's office said that "in light of developments in the matter of the release of our hostages" Israel's war cabinet would be convened followed by meetings of the wider security cabinet and the full cabinet.

Israeli media reported that the deal would result in 50 hostages, all women or children, being freed in exchange for the return of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, also all women or children. The deal would also result in a pause in hostilities for at least five days, restrictions on Israeli surveillance of Gaza and additional aid being sent into the territory, the newspaper Haaretz said.

There was no confirmation of the reports but a source close to the negotiations who briefed Reuters outlined similar details. So did a senior Hamas official who spoke to Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based TV network.

Joe Biden also said yesterday that a deal was close.