Israel and Hamas came to an agreement on early Wednesday to temporarily cease hostilities, enabling the release of hostages and allowing additional humanitarian aid into Gaza.
This arrangement, crafted to halt fighting for a minimum of four days, involves the liberation of 50 women and children held by Hamas and 150 Palestinian women and children detained in Israel. It marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough after six weeks of conflict sparked by Hamas' October 7 attack and the subsequent bombardment of Gaza. Extensive negotiations among Israel, Hamas, the U.S., and Qatar led to this resolution.
In an official statement, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declared that the Israeli government, through this agreement, has given the green light to the initial phase toward the ultimate goal of bringing all hostages back. The statement specified that the release of every additional set of 10 hostages would extend the duration of the pause. However, it reiterated Israel's commitment to persisting in the conflict until all hostages are returned, Hamas is eradicated, and there is no new threat to Israel from Gaza.
Hamas affirmed the agreement in a statement, labeling it a "humanitarian truce" achieved after days of intricate negotiations. The statement underscored that during the pause in hostilities, hundreds of trucks delivering humanitarian relief would be granted access to Gaza. The specific start time for the pause is expected to be announced within the next 24 hours.
Among the hostages set for release are three Americans, as revealed by a senior U.S. administration official. This group includes two women and a 3-year-old girl, with indications that additional women and children may be held beyond the initial cohort covered by the agreement.
The official expressed confidence that, during the pause and ongoing negotiations, more women and children would be released, emphasizing that securing the freedom of all hostages was a primary demand of the deal.
President Joe Biden commended the agreement,