Israel PM office says ‘deal to release the hostages’ reached

The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said today a “deal to release the hostages” had been reached and he had ordered the political-security Cabinet to convene later in the day.

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed by the negotiating team that agreements have been reached on a deal to release the hostages,” his office said in a statement.

His office had accused Hamas today of reneging on key parts of the agreement to extort last-minute concessions – an allegation Hamas denied.

“The Prime Minister ordered the political-security Cabinet to convene tomorrow (Friday). The Government will then convene to approve the deal,” Netanyahu’s office said.