Hostage deal between Israel and Hamas could be announced as early as tonight, sources say

Benjamin Netanyahu has called on his government to back a hostage release deal – with the announcement of an agreement with Hamas expected as early as tonight, diplomatic sources have told The Independent.

A deal – which has been mediated by Qatar – would see dozens of hostages being held inside Gaza freed and a temporary pause in the Israeli military offensive on the besieged territory. The Independent understands that the deal could be implemented 24 hours after it is announced.

At a late meeting, the Israeli prime minister, Mr Netanyahu, vowed to continue the war against Hamas after any pause in hostilities and said an agreement had the full support of security officials. The hostages’ return is a “sacred and top goal”, Mr Netanyahu said in a video message to the cabinet, “but