Breakthrough Agreement: Israel and Hamas strike hostage release deal amidst ongoing conflict

New Delhi, Nov 22: Amid the 47-day-long continuing conflict, Israel and Hamas have reached a groundbreaking deal to release 50 hostages from Gaza over the next four days, marking the first comprehensive pause in fighting across the entire Gaza Strip since October 7.

The timing of the pause is yet to be disclosed, with Qatar stating it will be announced within the next 24 hours. If successful, this pause would provide respite from the intense bombing, rocket firing, and destruction that have characterized the conflict.

Israeli officials specified that the hostages to be released are all women and children, primarily those with Israeli nationality or dual nationals, not foreign nationals. The Israeli government emphasized its commitment to returning all hostages’ homes.

"The government of Israel, the IDF [Israeli military], and the security services will 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," stated the Israeli government.

Hamas, on the other hand, asserts that the release of 50 hostages is in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children currently held in Israeli jails. The deal is also anticipated to allow the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, medical supplies, and fuel into Gaza.

Key stipulations of the deal include a cessation of air traffic in southern Gaza during the pause and a daily six-hour halt, from 10:00 to 16:00 local time, in northern Gaza. Furthermore, Israel clarified that the pause might extend beyond four days, with each additional release of 10 hostages contributing to a day's extension.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu credited U.S. President Joe Biden for improving the terms of the agreement, acknowledging Biden's commitment to supporting a pause in fighting. President Biden expressed his satisfaction, stating he is "extraordinarily gratified" that hostages will be reunited with their families.

International reactions poured in, with UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron calling the deal a "crucial step," and French President Emmanuel Macron noting ongoing efforts to free all hostages. Palestinian Authority leader Mahmoud Abbas, the EU, and several countries, including the US, Jordan, Russia, China, Egypt, France, and Germany, welcomed the truce.

Pope Francis, after separate meetings with Israeli families of hostages and Palestinians with relatives in Gaza, emphasized the suffering on both sides and called for a forward march towards peace, blessing all involved in his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square.