Israel has announced that the planned truce and release of hostages in Gaza will not commence until at least Friday. It causes delaying hopes for a pause in the ongoing conflict. The release of 50 Israeli and foreign hostages, held by Hamas, is reportedly progressing. However, the agreed-upon start date is not earlier than Friday, according to Israeli national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi.
Israel has announced that the anticipated four-day truce and hostage release in Gaza will not commence until at least Friday, dealing a setback to those seeking respite from the ongoing conflict. Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s national security adviser, shared that while negotiations for the release of hostages are progressing. The agreed-upon start will adhere to the original timeline and not take place before Friday.
The delay is disappointing for the over two million residents of Gaza. They have endured 47 days of war and hardship, resulting in over 14,000 casualties from Israeli strikes and severe shortages of food, water, and fuel.
The intricate agreement between Israel and Hamas involved a four-day truce during which at least 50 hostages. They were taken during a surprise attack by Hamas on October 7 and were expected to be released. Additional hostages released would extend the “pause” in fighting by one day for every ten individuals. The deal also included the release of at least 150 Palestinian women and children by Israel, along with increased humanitarian aid to Gaza.
While the agreement has received approval from leaders of both Hamas and Israel. It faced opposition within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s right-wing government. Despite this, Netanyahu has supported the deal, emphasizing that the truce is temporary and does not signal an end to the campaign against Hamas.
President Joe Biden, in communication with Netanyahu, urged the importance of maintaining calm along the Lebanese border and in the West Bank. White House emphasized the need for truce to be fully implemented and release of all hostages.
The Recent Situation In Palestine
Amidst these diplomatic efforts, the situation remains tense, with continued military activities reported in northern Gaza. Displaced Palestinians in Khan Younis expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the Israel-Hamas deal, emphasizing the urgency of returning home.
Also See: Ceasefire Holds in Gaza as Hostages Set to be Released
White House spokesperson Adrienne Watson expressed optimism. Final logistical details for the release were being worked out, with hopes that the deal would commence on Friday morning. However, the exact cause of the delay remains unclear.
In a separate development, the director of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Mohammad Abu Salmiya, along with other medical personnel, was reportedly detained by Israeli forces on Thursday. The hospital has been a focal point of Israeli military operations against Hamas, with conflicting claims about the use of tunnels beneath the facility.
The situation is evolving, and updates will be provided as events unfold.