Israeli government convenes amid talk again of possible ceasefire, 'truce'

The Israeli government will meet Tuesday to discuss a potential deal to release hostages who have been held captive in the Gaza Strip for more than six weeks as the head of Hamas says that a 'truce' is imminent. 

"The first goal is eliminating Hamas; we are not stopping until this is carried out. The second goal is the return of the hostages. I do not think that it is necessary to belabor the point, not even now, but I hope there will be good news soon," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, as translated, about the potential return of the captives. 

Hamas Political Bureau head Ismail Haniyeh said Tuesday, as translated, that with Qatar and Egypt as mediators, "We are close to reaching a truce agreement," according to the Hamas Media Network.

Meanwhile, the Israel Government Press Office said Netanyahu will convene the War Cabinet, the Security Cabinet and the government Tuesday evening in "light of developments on the issue of the release of our hostages."

Reports circulated throughout the weekend about a tentative deal to release some of the an estimated 240 people who were kidnapped by Hamas in exchange for a five-day ceasefire.

Israel has been fighting terrorists in the Gaza Strip since they invaded Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people. 

There have been multiple unconfirmed reports regarding details of the potential deal. 

According to one report from The Jerusalem Post, the ceasefire will last five days and will see the release of 40 children and 13 women being held captive.

The government is reportedly voting Tuesday on part of the deal that would involve the release of hundreds of terrorists who are in Israeli prisons in exchange for a three to five-day ceasefire and the release of 50-80 hostages, according to Israel National News.

Hanging over the negotiations is Israel's 2011 deal, where it exchanged more than 1,000 Palestinians, including convicted terrorists, to free one captured Israeli soldier.

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.