The Israeli side is working on a hostage agreement that would involve the release of 30 to 40 people in exchange for several “phased” humanitarian pauses in the Gaza Strip, according to a statement by Channel 12 of Israeli television, Report informs.

The TV channel notes, citing a source, that the duration of these pauses will depend on the number of people being released.

“Israel is ready to pay a high price to return the abducted people. The deal, if it happens, will be complex and will require a high price. This is still very far away and it is not a fact that it will succeed, but in any case, the ball is now in the hands of the mediators,” Channel 12 quotes its security source.

The situation in the Middle East sharply worsened after the infiltration of Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, which was accompanied by the killing of residents of border settlements and the capture of more than 200 hostages, including children, women and the elderly.