Israelis are weighing the pros and cons of a hostage deal with Hamas that the government approved late Tuesday night, and which will go into effect at 10:00 a.m. local time (3:00 a.m. EST) on Thursday morning.
Under the deal, Hamas will release fifty female, child, and/or elderly hostages over the course of four days, during which time Israel will halt its military offensive in Gaza. Israel will also release 150 female and/or teenage Palestinian prisoners, and deliver additional food and fuel to the Gaza Strip.
The deal has an extension option: Hamas can buy itself an additional day of quiet by releasing ten more hostages each day, up to a maximum total of ten days (including the first four). Israel is prepared to release up to 300 Palestinian prisoners in total.
