SRINAGAR: In a significant development, the Israeli government and Hamas reached an agreement on Wednesday to implement a four-day ceasefire, allowing for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. This accord also paves the way for the release of fifty hostages from Gaza and the delivery of crucial humanitarian supplies to the besieged territory.
Reports in the media suggest that negotiations, mediated by Qatar in secret, involved representatives from the United States, Israel, and Hamas. The breakthrough comes after days of anticipation, with all parties expressing optimism about an imminent solution.
Following extensive talks facilitated by Qatar, the Israeli cabinet, after reportedly tense discussions among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration, approved the ceasefire.
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two members of his far-right political party were the sole dissenting votes among the 38 cabinet members.
According to the prime minister’s office, the agreement stipulates that Hamas will release at least fifty women and children during the initial four-day ceasefire. The extension of the truce will be contingent on the release of additional hostages, with no mention of reciprocal releases of Palestinian detainees. Al Jazeera reported Israel’s commitment to bringing all hostages home, marking this deal as the initial step towards that goal.
Hamas, as reported by various media outlets, declared that 50 women and children from Gaza would be released in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian women and children from its prisons. The ceasefire is expected to halt all military operations in Gaza, with the added benefit of permitting the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying food, medicine, and fuel into the region.
The Tribune reported that, according to Israeli authorities, more than half of the captives held dual citizenship from approximately 40 nations, including the United States, Thailand, Britain, France, Argentina, Germany, Chile, Spain, and Portugal.
Sources suggest that the first release of hostages is scheduled for this Thursday, with a one-day delay in the agreement’s implementation to allow Israeli citizens to petition the Supreme Court against the release of Palestinian detainees. This development marks a significant step towards de-escalating tensions and fostering diplomatic efforts in the region.
Until the last updates, as per AlJazeera, the death toll in Palestine is 14,128.
