Israel and Hamas have reached an agreement to exchange 50 hostages held in Gaza for a four-day pause in the fighting. This deal also includes the release of 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails and an increase in humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza.
The announcement of this deal comes after weeks of intense fighting and violence between Israel and Hamas, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people. The hostages were kidnapped during a cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen, which led to a full-scale war between the two sides.
The agreement was mediated by Qatar and has been hailed as a step towards ending the ongoing conflict and alleviating the suffering of innocent Palestinian families. The US president has described the deal as ending “an unspeakable ordeal” for the hostages.
Under the terms of the agreement, 50 hostages will be released in four batches over the course of four days. Israel has also offered an incentive to release more hostages, stating that the release of every additional 10 hostages will result in one additional day of the pause in fighting.
The hostages expected to be released are Israeli nationals or dual nationals, and it is estimated that at least three American citizens will be among them. There have been calls for Hamas to unilaterally release the 26 Thai nationals believed to be among the hostages.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has expressed its readiness to facilitate the releases, as it did when Hamas previously freed two Israeli-American women and two Israeli women. Israeli forces have also rescued one female soldier and recovered the bodies of two other female hostages.
While this agreement brings hope for the hostages’ families and offers a temporary respite from the violence, it is important to note that the Israeli government has vowed to continue the war until all the hostages are returned, Hamas is eliminated, and there is no new threat to Israel from Gaza.
The deal also includes a temporary truce, or “hudna,” during which Israeli military action is expected to cease. Drone and Israeli aircraft activity in the south of Gaza is expected to stop completely for four days, while in the north, it will only be halted between 10:00 and 16:00 local time each day.
Israeli troops and tanks are expected to remain in their positions inside Gaza during the four-day pause, but Hamas has stated that Israeli forces will not attack or arrest anyone during this time.
For the Palestinians in Gaza, who have suffered greatly during the conflict and endured displacement from their homes, the respite in the fighting is eagerly awaited. The deal will also allow much-needed humanitarian aid, including food, fuel, and medical supplies, to enter Gaza via Egypt’s Rafah crossing.
However, it is important to note that the boost in fuel will only last as long as the pause in fighting. Israel has cut off electricity, water, and most deliveries of essential goods to Gaza in retaliation for Hamas’s attack.
Although this deal allows safe passage for people from north to south in Gaza, it does not permit the hundreds of thousands of displaced people from the north to return home. Furthermore, the Hamas statement claims that the deal includes the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners, all of whom are women and children. However, the Israeli government’s statement does not mention this, and the details regarding the prisoners’ release remain unclear.
It is worth noting that this deal has legal implications in Israel, requiring a 24-hour period for Israeli citizens to make an appeal to the Israeli Supreme Court before any prisoner release. However, no significant delays are expected in this process.
While this agreement offers hope for a temporary respite from the violence and the release of hostages, it is important to remain cautious. The conflict between Israel and Hamas has been ongoing for years, and the underlying issues that fuel the conflict need to be addressed for a lasting peace to be achieved. Both sides must work towards a comprehensive solution that addresses the needs and aspirations of both Israelis and Palestinians.
