Israeli officials have revealed that significant progress has been made in the talks aimed at securing an agreement with the Hamas terror group to free Israeli hostages. “We’re working on tying up the last loose ends before a final agreement,” the officials said, indicating that the deal could likely be finalized either later that evening or by Thursday.

Barak Ravid of Axios reports that a high-ranking US official has confirmed that an agreement has been reached regarding both hostages and a ceasefire.

Should the agreement be signed on Thursday, the first trio of hostages could be freed by Sunday. After that, four more hostages are expected to be released on the seventh day. Subsequently, three hostages will be freed on the 14th, 21st, 28th, and 35th days, with the final group of 14 hostages being released during the last week of the deal.

US President-elect Donald Trump shared a message on Truth Social, stating: “WE HAVE A DEAL FOR THE HOSTAGES IN THE MIDDLE EAST. THEY WILL BE RELEASED SHORTLY.  THANK YOU!”

It is believed that only 60 hostages are still alive, including three Americans: Edan Alexander, Sagui Dekel-Chen, and Keith Siegel. As part of the ceasefire’s first stage, Hamas has agreed to release 33 hostages in exchange for Israel agreeing to free hundreds of Palestinians held in detention.

The first group of hostages to be freed will consist of women, children, elderly men, and individuals who are either injured or ill. While the exact individuals who will be released remain uncertain, this will provide much-needed clarity on the fate of several hostages, including the Bibas children, who Hamas has claimed are dead but has yet to provide definitive proof.

The first day of the ceasefire is expected to mark the release of three hostages, symbolizing a gesture of goodwill and compliance with the agreement.

{Matzav.com}