Qatar confirms agreement between Israel and Hamas to release 50 hostages

NIn a statement, the Qatari Foreign Ministry described the talks that produced the agreement for a “humanitarian pause” as the result of mediation by Egypt, the US and Qatar.

“The start of the break will be announced within the next 24 hours and will last four days, subject to extension”, said the statement.

“The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian hostages, women and children currently detained in the Gaza Strip, in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons,” the ministry said.

“The number of people released will increase in later stages of the implementation of the agreement,” the statement added.

Qatar stressed that the ceasefire “will allow the entry of a greater number of humanitarian convoys and humanitarian aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.”

Israel accepted the agreement on Tuesday, with all members of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s executive voting in favor, except for the three ministers from the far-right Jewish Power Party (Otzma Yehudit) and the Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir.

Hamas today welcomed the agreement, but assured that the fighting is not over.

“We confirm that our hands will remain on the trigger and that our triumphant battalions will remain alert,” warned the group, in a statement.

According to Israeli media, Hamas will take the hostages to Egypt through the Rafah crossing, in daily groups of around ten, and from there they will be transferred to Israel.

For its part, Israel is expected to release around 150 Palestinian prisoners who have not been convicted of blood crimes.

Furthermore, the army undertakes not to fly over the Gaza Strip for six hours a day while the truce is in force, to allow Hamas to locate hostages held by other armed groups, such as Islamic Jihad.

According to estimates, Hamas has between 210 and 240 hostages, while Palestinian Islamic Jihad has around 30.

According to the Hebrew press, the agreement also provides for the entry into the Gaza Strip, including the northern region, of 100 to 300 trucks with food and medical aid, as well as fuel.

Israeli public television said that the temporary cessation of hostilities will begin on Thursday, in order to allow 24 hours for the presentation of possible appeals against the Government’s decision to the Supreme Court.

This truce comes after weeks of increasing pressure from the international community and the main international organizations, such as the United Nations, to put an end to the incessant attacks, which have also left more than 1.5 million people displaced.

Tel Aviv declared war on Hamas after the Islamist group launched an attack against Israel on October 7, in which more than 1,200 people died and 240 were kidnapped and taken to Gaza.

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