Israel and Hamas Reach Truce in Gaza War, Hostage Release to Follow

Accident – Death – Obituary News : JERUSALEM (AP) – Israel and Hamas have reached a historic agreement for a four-day halt to the devastating war in Gaza, accompanied by the release of dozens of hostages held by the militant group in return for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel, mediators announced on Wednesday. This truce marks the biggest diplomatic breakthrough since Hamas’ Oct. 7 rampage into southern Israel ignited a war that has devastated vast swaths of Gaza, fueled a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank, and raised fears of a wider conflict across the Middle East.

The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, which has played a key role in mediating with Hamas, announced the deal without specifying when it would go into effect. The agreement entails the gradual release of 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners, with women and children being released first. Additionally, the supply of humanitarian aid flowing into the besieged territory will be ramped up.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that Israel would resume the war after the truce and continue fighting “until we achieve all our goals,” which include the defeat of Hamas and the return of all hostages. However, residents in Gaza City reported intensified fighting with gunfire, heavy artillery, and airstrikes in central neighborhoods.

The announcement comes after weeks of indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with Qatar playing a prominent role. The United States and Egypt were also involved in stop-and-go talks to secure the release of the roughly 240 hostages captured by Hamas and other militants during their wide-ranging Oct. 7 raid.

President Joe Biden welcomed the deal, expressing his support for an “extended pause” to ensure the release of hostages and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed hope that the agreement would eventually lead to a permanent ceasefire and “serious talks” on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Israel has indicated that the truce will be extended by an additional day for every 10 hostages released by Hamas. The International Committee of the Red Cross has offered its assistance in facilitating the swap. Israel’s Justice Ministry has published a list of 300 prisoners eligible for release, mainly teenagers detained over the past year for minor offenses.

Since the war began, the Israeli military has detained over 1,850 Palestinians in the West Bank, mostly suspected Hamas members. More than 200 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank, primarily during gun battles triggered by Israeli army raids.

As the devastation caused by the war becomes known and hostages are released, pressure could mount on Israel to end the conflict without achieving its goal of crushing Hamas. Even the United States, Israel’s chief backer, has expressed concerns about the heavy toll on Gaza’s civilian population.

Reports indicate that an overnight airstrike in the southern town of Khan Younis killed 17 people, including children. The strike resulted in the deaths of two children, one of whom was badly burned. In northern Gaza, the Kamal Adwan Hospital received approximately 60 bodies and 200 wounded individuals as a result of heavy fighting.

Despite the massive destruction in Gaza and the killing of thousands of Palestinian civilians, Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar is likely to present the release of prisoners as a major achievement and declare victory if the war ends without removing Hamas from power.

Hamas has announced that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including fuel, will be allowed into Gaza. It has also stated that Israeli aircraft will cease flying over southern Gaza for the duration of the four-day ceasefire and for six hours daily in the north.

The war erupted in early October when several thousand Hamas militants breached Israel’s defenses and entered the south, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of scores more. Israel responded with weeks of devastating airstrikes on Gaza, followed by a ground invasion.

According to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory, over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israeli offensive. The invasion has caused widespread destruction, displaced over 1.7 million people, and resulted in severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials throughout Gaza. Additionally, Israel cut off all fuel imports at the start of the war, leading to a territory-wide power blackout.

The return of hostages could provide some relief to Israel, where their plight has captivated the nation. Families of the hostages, including babies, children, and elderly individuals with health issues, have staged mass demonstrations and pressured the government to secure their release. However, they may find themselves divided as some hostages are freed while others remain in Gaza. Soldiers are expected to be the last to be released, and their families may urge the government to extend the truce until they return home.

Ofri Bibas Levy, whose brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews are among the captives, expressed concern over the situation. Her brother, 34, is not expected to be among the first groups released. Levy stated, “No matter which way it happens, there will still be families that will remain worried and sad and angry.”

The structure of the deal could potentially limit Israel’s ability to press its offensive even after the ceasefire expires. Any pause in hostilities would provide Hamas with an opportunity to regroup after suffering heavy losses. Israeli troops and tanks are expected to remain in place, despite the risks of being stationary behind enemy lines.

Israeli officials claim to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters and destroyed parts of the group’s tunnel system. However, they acknowledge that much of Hamas’ infrastructure remains intact. The military has reported 68 soldier deaths in ground operations.

With around three-quarters of Gaza’s population displaced from their homes and most residing in overcrowded shelters, many will be unable to return home due to the extensive damage in the north and the continued presence of Israeli troops in the area.

The war has drawn Iran-backed armed groups from across the Middle East into the conflict. Lebanon’s Hezbollah has engaged in daily fire exchanges with Israel along the border, while Yemen’s Houthi rebels have launched drones, missiles, and even seized an Israeli-linked cargo ship.

This article was written by AP reporters, with contributions from Najib Jobain in Khan Younis, Gaza Strip; Wafaa Shurafa in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip; Melanie Lidman in Jerusalem; and Jon Gambrell in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. For full AP coverage, visit https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war..