Israel and the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas reached an agreement on a temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of some hostages captured during the October 7 attack on Israel. In this respect reported Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs mediated in the negotiations.
“An agreement was reached on a humanitarian pause. In the statement made by the ministry, it was stated that the start time of the break will be announced within the next 24 hours and will last for four days with the possibility of extension.
Israeli media to explainHe said the ceasefire could start at 6.30 am (7.30 am Moscow time) on November 23.
Conditions for the humanitarian pause
Agreement provides for the release of Hamas 50 Civilian women and children held in Gaza “in exchange for the release of some Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.” As the Qatar Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized, the number of those released will be increased in the “later stages” of the agreement.
Israeli Government approvedHe approved the ceasefire agreement but made no mention of the release of Palestinian prisoners.
“At least 50 hostages, including women and children, will be released within four days and the hostilities will be suspended during this period. The Israeli Cabinet said that the release of every ten hostages would lead to a new day of standstill.
They emphasized that Israel intends to “continue the war” to return all hostages, eliminate Hamas, and ensure that there is no new threat from Gaza.
Hamas too approved information about the agreement, adding that the agreement includes “the introduction of hundreds of trucks with humanitarian, emergency, medical and fuel aid into all areas of the Gaza Strip without exception” and the suspension of four-seater flights in the south of the enclave. day, for six hours in the north.
Additionally, according to the movement, Israel promised not to interfere with Palestinians’ freedom of movement and not to arrest anyone during the ceasefire.
Who will be released
Israeli Ministry of Justice published List of 300 Palestinian prisoners who could be released under the humanitarian pause agreement. According to this Israeli times, 287 of them – Young people aged 18 or younger who have been convicted of rioting, remaining 13 – women imprisoned for knife attacks.
Israeli Government explainedSalvation will occur in two stages: In the first, 150 detainees will be exchanged for 50 Hamas detainees, and in the second, the Israeli side is ready to release “up to 150” more detainees.If Palestinian radicals bring back “up to 50 additional hostages.” However, the detainees will be released only after their return to Israel.
“All 300 Palestinian prisoners will be released on the condition that the 100 living hostages (Israeli citizens or residents) are released from the Gaza Strip and sent back to Israel,” the statement said.
Israeli television channel i24News Hamas reportedly plans to release 12 hostages per day. Here Wall Street Magazine It says that 50 prisoners will be released in the first four days, and then 30 more people, including foreigners, will be released in three days.
Basem Naim, head of Hamas’s foreign relations department in Gaza, said that the two captured Russian citizens would be released immediately after the ceasefire. He stated this in his meeting with. RIA News He emphasized that he did not have full information.
Hamas-allied radical movement “Islamic Jihad” (organization banned in Russia) statedThat Israeli soldiers in captivity can only leave the Gaza Strip after the release of all Palestinian prisoners.
State Department Chief Antony Blinken statedIt was stated that many American citizens would be released as part of the agreement. By TV channel NBCWe are talking about three civilians, two women and a child.
“First good news from Gaza”
Russian President Press Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that the Kremlin perceives the agreement between Israel and Hamas positively. He described the agreement as “the first good news from Gaza in a long time.” He emphasized that the Russian Federation and other states called on the parties for a ceasefire, because “only on the basis of such pauses can the outlines of future initiatives towards a sustainable solution of the problem be built.”
Official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova registeredHe said Moscow welcomed the agreement on a humanitarian pause in Gaza and had been calling for it since the beginning of the conflict.
“This is the most important decision taken and still gives hope that de-escalation may be possible,” the diplomat said.
US President Joe Biden promise We are working with the leaders of Egypt, Qatar and Israel to ensure full implementation of the agreement. State Department chief Antony Blinken called the agreement “significant progress” and “the result of tireless diplomacy and unremitting efforts of the entire U.S. government.”
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen sureHe said the EC would “do everything possible” to use the pause in fighting to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.