Israel and Hamas have reached a four-day truce agreement, which will begin on Friday morning. The deal includes the release of 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and teenagers. The hostages, who were taken by Hamas in a raid on Israel on October 7, will be released in batches during the ceasefire. The break in hostilities is being described as a “humanitarian pause,” with the possibility of extending the ceasefire for each additional batch of hostages released.
As part of the deal, Israel will halt air traffic over Gaza and refrain from attacking or arresting anyone in the area. People will also be allowed to move freely along Salah al-Din Street, a main road in northern Gaza. Qatar’s chief negotiator, Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, stated that there will be no military movements or expansion during the truce.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) will facilitate the release of the hostages, who will be transported through Egypt. Aid and fuel trucks will also enter Gaza during the truce to address the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The hostages being released include three U.S. citizens, among others. Israel has provided a list of about 300 Palestinian prisoners who may be released in the future.
Qatar played a significant role in mediating the deal, with the involvement of the United States and Egypt. The negotiations took time due to the intense fighting between the two sides and the large number of hostages involved.
While this ceasefire is temporary, Hamas has stated that its “fingers remain on the trigger,” indicating the possibility of future conflicts. Israel has emphasized that the conflict will continue until all hostages are freed and Hamas is eliminated.
In 2014, a similar ceasefire deal took 49 days to implement, bringing an end to major fighting for several years.
(Note: This article has been shortened and edited for clarity)
