Gaza captives deal -4 day ‘Pause’- 50 to be released for 150 Palestinian women and kids + Food Water Fuel-

from thefreeonline on 22nd Nov 2023 by Al Jazeera / HomeWorld News

The breakthrough agreement will see dozens of hostages freed over a 4 day halt to the massacre and some entry of food, fuel and water

The Israeli government has agreed to a deal that will secure the release of 50 hostages abducted by Hamas during the group’s October 7 attack, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In exchange, Israeli forces will briefly pause operations to allow aid into the besieged Gaza enclave.

1,700,000 Palestinians are displaced, refugees in a giant refugee prison, by Israel’s blitz. Many have no shelter from current cold and rain storms

Is the truce already in force? No. As of Wednesday morning, fighting continued between the two sides. Qatar said that the start time of the pause would be declared within 24 hours.

The agreement also includes desperately needed humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza following weeks of relentless Israeli attacks that have killed more than 14,100 people, including 5,600 children, and forced about 1.7 million from their homes.

What has Israel said about the deal?

Israel’s cabinet voted in favor of the agreement early on Wednesday morning, with Netanyahu outlining the basic details of the “first stage” of the deal in a brief statement. 

“At least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held,” the PM said, adding that for every additional ten hostages freed, Israel would pause operations for one more day.

However, Netanyahu stressed that his country would “continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza

All of Israel’s security agencies – the IDF, Shin Bet and Mossad – reportedly voiced support for the arrangement.

400 Palestinian child hostages held in Israeli jails

Why are so many Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails?

Today, the number of Palestinian prisoners/captives currently behind Israeli bars is over 10,000, including 83 Palestinian women and 380 children under 18. If they are ever tried, Palestinians are prosecuted in military courts

Hamas’ response?

The leadership of the Palestinian militant group issued a statement on its official Telegram channel announcing what it dubbed a “cease-fire from both parties.” It added that Israel had agreed to suspend military flights over southern Gaza for the duration of the pause, and limit air operations in the northern portion of the enclave.

The cessation of hostilities would allow humanitarian aid to reach all parts of Gaza, it said.

The group added that 150 Palestinian women and children currently held in Israeli custody would be freed as part of the deal, although the Israeli side did not confirm a specific number.

“The provisions of this agreement were formulated according to the vision of the resistance and its determinants that aim to serve our people and enhance their steadfastness in the face of aggression,” the Hamas statement said.

What happens if either side breaks the truce?

Neither side is expected to hold back on restarting hostilities if the other breaks — or is perceived to have broken — any of the terms of the agreement. Israel is not withdrawing its soldiers, tanks, armoured vehicles and other military infrastructure from Gaza, which it entered late in October in a ground offensive.

International reactions

Washington, which was involved in the negotiations, was quick to issue a statement hailing the hostage deal, with US President Joe Biden saying he was “extraordinarily gratified” that captives would be reunited with their families.

In its own statement, Qatar confirmed that the deal would include freeing Palestinian women and children from Israeli prisons, adding that “the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement.” It said the pause to fighting “will be announced within the next 24 hours.”

Moscow hailed Qatar’s efforts in brokering the deal and welcomed the agreement itself. Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stressed that the truce “is something that Russia was calling for since the start of the conflict.”

What’s next?

According to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, Israel will soon issue a list of Palestinian prisoners to be released. However Hamas previously announced the deaths of over 50 captives by ‘indiscriminate Israeli bombing and shelling’.

The Prime Minister’s Office has also reportedly developed a process for captives freed by Hamas, who will be received by the Red Cross before being transferred to the IDF. Freed hostages will undergo medical checks, and will be debriefed by Israeli authorities before their release, Israeli media reports said.