Israel-Hamas Ceasefire Agreed, Hostages to be Released

Accident – Death – Obituary News : Jerusalem – In a significant development, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day cease-fire in the ongoing war in Gaza. This breakthrough will not only facilitate the release of dozens of hostages held by militants but also Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. Additionally, it will bring a large influx of aid to the besieged territory, according to officials.

The truce has raised hopes of eventually winding down the war, which was triggered by Hamas’ rampage into southern Israel on October 7th. The conflict, now in its seventh week, has resulted in the leveling of vast swaths of Gaza, a surge of violence in the occupied West Bank, and fears of a wider conflagration across the Middle East.

The announcement of the cease-fire was made by the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, with Egypt’s state-run Qahera TV channel stating that it will take effect at 10 a.m. local time (0800 GMT) on Thursday. The United States, along with Qatar and Egypt, played a crucial role in mediating the deal between Israel and Hamas.

As part of the agreement, fifty hostages will be freed in stages in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners, as stated by Hamas. The release will prioritize women and children. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that Israel will resume the war after the truce and continue fighting until all their goals are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’ fighting and governing abilities and the return of all hostages.

Residents in Gaza City reported intensified fighting, including gunfire, heavy artillery, and airstrikes in central neighborhoods. There are concerns that the escalation in violence is an attempt to advance before the truce takes effect.

Despite the cease-fire, Palestinian militants continued to fire rockets at Israel throughout the day, without causing any casualties. However, the diplomatic breakthrough has been welcomed by several nations, including the United States, Britain, France, China, and Russia.

Qatar’s prime minister and top diplomat, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, expressed hope that the deal would eventually lead to a permanent cease-fire and “serious talks” on resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

In terms of the prisoner exchange, Israel has published a list of 300 prisoners eligible to be released, mainly consisting of teenagers detained for minor offenses such as rock-throwing. However, the public has 24 hours to object to any release under Israeli law.

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 during battles triggered by army raids, and attacks by Jewish settlers have also surged, worsening the situation for Palestinians.

The drawn-out process of releasing hostages will force Israel to rein in its offensive, potentially ending the war without achieving its goal of crushing Hamas. The heavy toll on Gaza’s civilians has already led to international criticism of Israel, and even the United States has expressed concern.

Amidst the ongoing conflict, an airstrike overnight hit a residential building in the southern town of Khan Younis, killing 17 people, including children. The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in central Gaza reported that 128 bodies were brought in overnight after nearby strikes.

The war has resulted in severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials throughout the territory, with Israel cutting off all fuel imports at the start of the conflict. Over 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced, and many will be unable to return home due to the extensive damage and the presence of Israeli troops.

While the release of hostages will bring relief to their families, it may also create divisions as some hostages are freed and others are not. The deal puts the families in an “inhumane” situation, according to Ofri Bibas Levy, whose brother, sister-in-law, and two nephews are among the captives.

Hamas will have a chance to regroup after suffering heavy losses, while Israeli troops and tanks are expected to remain in place despite the risks. Although Israel claims to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters and destroyed parts of their tunnel system, much of Hamas’ infrastructure remains intact. The military has reported the loss of 68 soldiers in ground operations..