Israel approves hostage release plan, US troops to monitor deal

(NewsNation) — Israel's Cabinet has approved the framework of a deal to release all of the hostages in Hamas captivity, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Per Netanyahu's office, the plan will bring all the hostages, both the living and the deceased, home. It is believed there are 48 hostages, with about 20 still alive.

The approval of the hostage plan is a crucial step in the ceasefire deal to stop Israel's two-year war with Hamas.

The U.S. will task 200 troops with monitoring the peace deal, and some military members could be sent to Israel, a White House official tells NewsNation.

US troops to monitor hostage release plan, ceasefire deal

The Associated Press previously reported that the U.S. will send 200 troops to Israel to support and monitor the deal but Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt pushed back on the report.

"To be clear: up to 200 U.S. personnel, who are already stationed at CENTCOM, will be tasked with monitoring the peace agreement in Israel, and they will work with other international forces on the ground," Leavitt wrote on X.

Israel's approval of the hostage release plan comes after Hamas and Israel both accepted Phase 1 of a peace plan proposed by President Donald Trump last month.

Trump celebrates Hamas, Israel agreeing to Phase 1 of plan

“This is a GREAT Day for the Arab and Muslim World, Israel, all surrounding Nations, and the United States of America, and we thank the mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and Turkey, who worked with us to make this Historic and Unprecedented Event happen," Trump wrote on TruthSocial Wednesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a statement minutes later, writing, “With God’s help we will bring them all home."

Trump said the hostages could be released as soon as Monday.