Aryeh Deri, the chairman of the Shas Party who previously served as an observer on the War Cabinet, announced on Thursday night that the hostage deal with Hamas was happening.

“A few minutes ago, I received the final word that all obstacles have been overcome and that the agreement is underway,” Deri declared in a speech at his party’s annual conference in Yerushalayim. “Now they are working on the final technical wording.”

“I want to congratulate Prime Minister [Bibi] Netanyahu. He is responsible for the agreement,” Deri told attendees. JNS

{Matzav.com Israel}