Israel’s government and Hamas have reached a pivotal agreement, declaring a four-day halt to hostilities. This pause aims to enable the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza and the exchange of 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel. Additionally, the accord will permit the entry of vital humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave.
Officials from Qatar, engaged in secret negotiations, alongside representatives from the U.S., Israel, and Hamas, had hinted at an imminent deal in recent days. The hostage situation arose when Hamas fighters surged into Israel on October 7, resulting in over 1,200 casualties, according to Israeli tallies.
An official statement from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office outlined that the initial phase of the deal involves the release of 50 women and children over four days, during which a cessation of hostilities will occur. The statement indicated that for every additional 10 hostages released, the truce would be extended by an extra day.
Hamas, in its statement, confirmed the exchange, specifying that the 50 hostages would be released in return for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails. The truce agreement is also expected to facilitate the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical, and fuel aid into Gaza.
U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his support for the deal, stating, “Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released.”
Qatar’s government, a key mediator in the negotiations, announced that the starting time of the truce would be disclosed within the next 24 hours.
While this marks the first truce in a conflict where Israeli bombardments have devastated parts of Gaza, causing extensive civilian casualties and displacements, Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel’s broader mission remains unchanged. He stated, “We are at war and will continue until we achieve all our goals: to destroy Hamas, return all our hostages, and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel.”
The release of hostages is expected to commence on Thursday, with reports indicating a 24-hour waiting period to allow Israeli citizens to appeal to the Supreme Court against the release of Palestinian prisoners.
The accord represents a potential turning point in the ongoing conflict, with hopes that it could pave the way for a more comprehensive and lasting ceasefire. The intricate negotiations involved multiple stakeholders and addressed complex issues, including the release of hostages, humanitarian concerns, and the delicate geopolitical dynamics of the region.
