ALBAWABA - After days of contentious talks, Hamas and the Israeli government have reached a 4-day truce agreement. The truce conditions Hamas to release 50 Israeli hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons.
Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported that a deal was approved by the Israeli Cabinet under which 50 hostages consisting of children, mothers, and elderly women held by Hamas in Gaza will be released in exchange for a cease-fire lasting for four days.
The Israeli cabinet assured that for every additional 10 Israeli hostages released by Hamas, the truce would be extended for 1 day.
The government said this is the plan for the first phase, to return the captives to their homes. It said the war will continue until all of the goals are achieved: returning all Israeli hostages and the elimination of Hamas, Anadulo reported.
According to Hebrew Channel 12, as part of the agreement, 150 Palestinian prisoners will be released and 300 trucks of humanitarian supplies including fuel will enter daily.
Hamas released a statement regarding the deal after days of "complex negotiations". Hamas confirmed reaching a humanitarian de-escalation for four days with Israel after "difficult and complex negotiations for long days…with diligent and appreciated Qatari and Egyptian efforts".
Hamas added that the agreement includes "the release of 50 women and children of the occupation detainees under the age of 19 years in exchange for the release of 150 women and children of our people from the occupation prisons under the age of 19 years, all according to seniority".
"Stopping air traffic in the south of the Gaza Strip for four days and stopping air traffic in the north for 6 hours a day from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m." the statement reads.
The statement added that "during the truce period, the occupation is committed not to attack or arrest anyone in all areas of the Gaza Strip" in addition to "ensuring the freedom of movement of people from north to south along Salah al-Din Street".
"While we announce reaching a de-escalation agreement, we affirm that our hands will remain on the trigger and we promise our people that we will remain loyal to their blood, their sacrifices, and their aspirations for liberation, freedom, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital" it added.
Hamas operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
Since October 7, Israeli continuous brutal bombardment has killed more than 14,128 people with more than 5,840 children and 3,920 women. The injury toll has exceeded the 30,000 mark, according to the latest figures by the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
