Israeli cabinet to meet regarding release of dozens of hostages 

The full Israeli cabinet is set to convene at 8 p.m. today “in light of the developments regarding the release of our hostages,” the Prime Minister’s Office says, Report informs, citing The Times of Israel.

Multiple outlets are reporting that ministers are meeting to give final approval for a hostage release deal with Hamas. Such a deal is widely expected to be approved.

Prior to that 8 p.m. meeting, the war cabinet will meet at 6 p.m. and the security cabinet will meet at 7 p.m. to okay the deal as well.

Meeting with reserves troops in southern Israel earlier, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “we are advancing” toward a deal. “I don’t think I should say too much, even now, but I hope we have good news soon.”

Earlier, Channel 12 News cited a senior Israeli official as saying, “we are very close to a deal.”