GAZA — The Qatari foreign ministry said on Wednesday Hamas and Israel have agreed on a temporary ceasefire in Gaza hostilities for four days, subject to extension, the starting time of which will be announced within the next 24 hours.
اضافة اعلان
Israel, and Hamas have reached a temporary pause facilitating the release of approximately 50 individuals who have been held captive in Gaza since October 7. In exchange, Palestinians held in Israeli jails will be released, Reuters reported.
The Israeli cabinet endorsed the agreement following talks on a Qatar-mediated deal that extended into the early hours of Wednesday morning. Israeli media reported heated exchanges between ministers of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government during the negotiations, Al Jazeera reported.
Ultimately, only three out of the 38 cabinet members voted against the truce—National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other members of his far-right political party.
The prime minister’s office stated that the deal would necessitate Hamas to release at least 50 women and children during a four-day truce. The statement mentioned that for every additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by a day, without specifying the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange. The office emphasized Israel’s commitment to bringing all hostages home and approved the proposed deal as the initial stage toward achieving this goal.
Hamas issued a statement confirming the release of 50 women and children held in the territory in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails. The statement outlined that Israel would halt all military actions in Gaza, and hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical, and fuel aid would be permitted into the territory.
Regarding the casualties and displacement caused by the conflict, the accord marks the first truce in a war where Israel has significantly damaged large areas of Gaza, home to about 2.3 million people. Palestinian officials report at least 14,100 casualties, while the United Nations states that approximately 1.7 million people have been displaced.
In the wake of the pause between Hamas and Israel, Hamas has outlined the terms that both parties have allegedly accepted. The temporary pause, set to last four days, entails several key points:
1. Halt to military actions: Israel has committed to ceasing all military actions in every part of the Gaza Strip, with a specific emphasis on restricting the movement of military vehicles.
2. Humanitarian aid access: The agreement allows for the entry of hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza, carrying essential supplies such as medical and fuel provisions.
3. Drone operations: In southern Gaza, drones will be grounded for the entire four-day duration of the ceasefire. In the northern region, drones will cease operations for six hours each day.
4. Non-aggression pledge: Israel pledges not to attack or arrest individuals in any area of the Gaza Strip during the agreed-upon ceasefire.
5. Freedom of movement: The accord guarantees freedom of movement along Salah al-Din Road during the ceasefire period.
6. Prisoner exchange: As part of the deal, Hamas will release 50 women and children held captive, in exchange for Israel releasing 150 Palestinian women and children currently held in Israeli jails.
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