Netanyahu announced progress in negotiations for the release of the hostages.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday announced progress in negotiations for the release of hostages from the Gaza Strip, expressing hope that there will soon be “good news” on this matter.

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“We are making progress (in the release of the hostages). I think that even now there is no need to say too much, but I hope that there will be good news soon,” the prime minister said during a visit to one of the reserve battalions.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Israel Television’s Channel 12 reported, citing an unnamed senior Israeli official, that Israel and Hamas were close to an agreement to release dozens of Palestinian hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. According to him, 50 people should be released at the first stage, and several dozen more people, up to 100, could be released in exchange for extending the ceasefire beyond the period provided for in the first stage of the deal.

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Israeli media, citing sources, also reported that the temporary ceasefire would last four days.