Hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas: Details clarified

The details of the hostage exchange agreement reached between Israel and Hamas have begun to emerge. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government approved the deal in a written statement following a cabinet meeting that lasted approximately 6 hours yesterday evening.

4-DAY HUMANITARIAN PAUSE

Fierce debates took place during the cabinet meeting where the hostage deal was approved. Israel's far-right Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir and 2 ministers from his party voted "no" on the agreement. In a written statement issued by the Prime Minister's Media Office after the cabinet meeting, it was announced that Israel had accepted the hostage exchange agreement with Hamas and a 4-day humanitarian pause in the fighting.

The statement included the following: "It is envisioned that at least 50 hostages, consisting of women and children, will be released over a 4-day period, and there will be a pause in the fighting during this time."

The statement, which noted that the pause in fighting would be extended by one additional day for every 10 hostages released, stated that the Israeli government and military "will continue the war to ensure the return of all hostages, the completion of the elimination of Hamas, and to ensure that no new threat to Israel emerges from the Gaza Strip."

The Israeli government's statement did not provide information regarding how many Palestinian prisoners would be released in exchange for the Israeli hostages, nor did it provide details on the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

150 PALESTINIANS TO BE RELEASED

Following Israel's acceptance of the hostage exchange agreement, a statement from Hamas indicated that there would be a 4-day humanitarian pause, and in exchange for the 50 Israeli hostages to be released during this period, 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails would be freed. Furthermore, it was emphasized that hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid and fuel would enter the Gaza Strip during the humanitarian pause. It was stated that during the temporary pause, air traffic would be halted all day in the south of the Gaza Strip, and for 6 hours daily between 10:00 and 16:00 in the north. The statement also noted that Israeli forces would adhere to the principle of not detaining or attacking anyone in the Gaza Strip.

The statement also mentioned that the freedom of movement for people along the Salah al-Din Road from the north to the south of the Gaza Strip would be guaranteed.

TO BE ANNOUNCED WITHIN 24 HOURS

In a statement by the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it was stated that the humanitarian pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas would be announced within 24 hours and that a 4-day humanitarian pause is planned. During this period, the entry of trucks, including those carrying humanitarian aid and fuel, into Gaza will be facilitated.

TO BE RELEASED IN STAGES

Sources speaking to the Israeli press learned that Hamas would release the hostages in its possession in stages.

Information was shared that Hamas would release 12 or 13 hostages each day for 4 days.

Israel announced a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners and detainees who could be released as part of the agreement for the release of the hostages. It is stated that 287 of the Palestinian prisoners on the list are children under the age of 18, and 13 are women.

News Source: AA