In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, Qatar's mediation efforts have successfully brokered a four-day truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
The truce is set to commence at 7 a.m. local time on Friday, marking a crucial step towards de-escalation in the conflict.
Hostage release
As part of the agreement, the first batch of hostages, consisting of 13 women and children held in Gaza, is scheduled to be released at approximately 4 p.m. local time on the same day.
These captives will be transferred to the Red Cross to ensure a safe and secure handover.
Key points
- Four-day truce commencement:
- Scheduled to begin on Friday at 7 a.m. local time in Gaza (05:00 GMT).
- Humanitarian aid anticipation:
- Qatar foresees aid entering Gaza promptly through the Rafah crossing.
- Hostage release timeline:
- The first batch of captives, consisting of 13 women and children held in Gaza, set to be released at approximately 4 p.m. local time on Friday (14:00 GMT).
- Secure transfer protocol:
- Captives to be handed over to the Red Cross, emphasizing safety during the transfer process.
- Release of Palestinian prisoners:
- Concurrently, Palestinian prisoners are also expected to be released on the same day.
- Positive diplomatic atmosphere:
- Meetings between the involved parties took place in a positive environment, fostering optimism for the truce and peace negotiations.
White House welcomes development
The White House National Security Council expressed its approval of Qatar's announcement, anticipating the release of a significant number of hostages on Friday.
The U.S. administration is closely monitoring the situation and is hopeful that this pause in hostilities will pave the way for lasting peace.
Hamas thanks Qatar and Egypt for mediation
Hamas spokesperson Osama Hamdan extended gratitude to Qatar and Egypt for their instrumental role in mediating the truce deal.
While expressing optimism about the temporary pause, Hamdan reiterated the ultimate desire of the Palestinian nation for an end to the occupation and Israeli attacks on Gaza.
Netanyahu's office receives list of captives
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's office confirmed the reception of a preliminary list of names of captives.
The office is currently in the process of verifying the list and maintaining communication with the families of the captives. Further updates will be provided as information unfolds.
Qatar's foreign ministry emphasized that both parties have shown a strong commitment to the agreement, raising hopes for additional pauses and, ultimately, a lasting and permanent ceasefire. The international community watches with anticipation as efforts for peace in the region continue.
