The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza is set to have a brief pause with a short truce starting in a few hours, according to mediator Qatar. The ceasefire comes after nearly seven weeks of intense fighting. Qatar has also announced that the exchange of hostages is expected to take place later today.
Here are 10 key updates on the Israel-Hamas war:
1. The ceasefire is scheduled to begin at 10.30 am IST, and the first group of hostages will be released by Hamas around 7.30 pm IST, as stated by Qatar’s foreign ministry.
2. The initial batch of civilian hostages will consist of 13 women and children from the same families. Over the course of the four-day ceasefire, the number is expected to rise to 50, based on the deal brokered by Qatar and the US.
3. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that it is in contact with the families of the hostages and has received “a first list of names” of those due to be released.
4. In addition to the hostage release, Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails will also be released on Friday. The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, stated that a list of names has been approved, although the exact number has not been disclosed.
5. The ceasefire agreement was orchestrated by Qatar and the US and was officially announced earlier this week. US President Joe Biden played a significant role in the diplomatic efforts, engaging in urgent conversations with the emir of Qatar and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the weeks leading up to the deal.
6. The agreement includes a “complete ceasefire with no attacks from the air or the ground” and the clearance of skies from drones to ensure a safe environment for the hostage release. Hamas has confirmed that the cessation of hostilities will begin at 10.30 am IST. The deal also aims to provide aid to Gaza’s 2.4 million residents who are grappling with shortages of food, water, and fuel. As part of the agreement, a total of 50 hostages, including females and males aged 18 or under, will be freed, with three Palestinian prisoners released for each of them.
7. The Israeli Defence Forces launched an offensive in Gaza following a Hamas attack on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 citizens. During the conflict, Hamas took nearly 240 hostages, mostly civilians, by crossing the border fence and raiding towns in Southern Israel.
8. According to Palestinian health authorities, approximately 13,000 Gazans have been killed by Israeli bombardment, with around 40% of them being children. However, keeping an accurate tally has become challenging due to the strain on the health service caused by the Israeli bombardment.
9. The international community has been pressuring Israel to end the war to prevent further escalation and potential spillover into the Middle East.
10. The Iran-backed Hezbollah group, designated as a terrorist organization by the US, has launched attacks on Israel from Southern Lebanon. Today, the group claimed responsibility for launching 48 Katyusha rockets at an Israeli army base. Israel reported intercepting some of them and retaliated.
This ceasefire and hostage release offer a glimmer of hope for a temporary respite in the conflict, but the situation remains fragile as tensions persist.
