The Israeli cabinet says it has approved a cease-fire deal with the Hamas militant group that would bring a temporary halt to a devastating war now in its seventh week.
The Israeli government said that under the deal, Hamas is to free at least 50 of the roughly 240 hostages it is holding in the Gaza Strip over a four-day period.
The release of hostages is expected to happen in stages, beginning with women and children in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners currently being held in Israel.
Israel says it will extend the lull by a day for every 10 more hostages released but intends to fight Hamas once the ceasefire expires.
This temporary truce will additionally allow for the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza to ramp up.
Ahead of Wednesday morning’s Cabinet vote, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel would resume its offensive against Hamas after the cease-fire expires.
This comes as roughly 200 Canadians remain in the warzone, with at least one Canadian missing.
Although the agreement for a cease fire was announced Wednesday, multiple blasts have been reported in Gaza throughout the morning.
The timing of this impending ceasefire is expected to be announced Thursday.
