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AAP
AAP
Politics
Kat Wong and Paul Osborne

Israel-Hamas hostage deal an 'important step': Wong

Hamas Israel Penny Wong Australia Benjamin Netanyahu Gaza Middle East
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the hostage deal was an 'important and necessary step'. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)

Foreign Minister Penny Wong has welcomed a deal on Israeli hostages as a necessary step towards peace in the Middle East, as Australia receives an increasing number of Israeli and Palestinian visa applications.

Israel's government and Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by the Australian government, have agreed to a four-day pause in fighting to allow the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.

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