GAZA: On Wednesday, Israel and Hamas reached an agreement for a four day truce to allow the release of 50 captives held in Gaza. In exchange, Israel would release 150 Palestinians and humanitarian aid into the besieged enclave. Israel claimed that Hamas has held more than 200 captives, which they took on Oct 7.
Officials from Qatar, the US, and China welcomed the truce deal. Earlier, China urged the international community to play its role in curbing the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. It is said, that Qatar secretly mediated and played a pivotal role in truce.
Office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that 50 women and children will be released during which the war will remain paused. Hostages include citizens from Israel, the US, Thailand, Britain, France, Argentina, Germany, Chile, Spain, Portugal, and dual citizenship holders from some 40 countries.
Israeli media claimed that the first release of hostages would commence on Thursday. The report added that Israeli citizens will have a window of 24 hours to ask the Supreme Court to block the release of Palestinian prisoners.
It is expected that under the 4-day truce:
- no military operation for four days
- Israel to allow more relief aid
- 50 Israeli hostages to be released
- 150 Palestinians freed from jail