4-day humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas; ‘Difficult decision but it’s a right decision,’ says PM Netanyahu

A four-day ‘humanitarian truce’ in Gaza in exchange for the release of 50 hostages, women and children taken on October 7 has been agreed upon by Israel and Hamas through Qatar-mediated negotiations on Wednesday. As a part of this diplomatic breakthrough, Hamas has stated that Israel will release 150 Palestinian women and children currently detained in Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that this was a ‘difficult decision but it’s a right decision.’

“The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension….The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” read the statement issued by Qatar's Foreign Ministry, stating that the agreement stemmed out of talks mediated by Egypt, the U.S., and Qatar, aiming for a ‘humanitarian pause.’ The truce also mentions provisions for ‘the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.’

As per reports, Hamas has issued an official statement acknowledging certain terms and conditions in connection to the 4-day cease-fire, which includes a halt to all military actions by occupation forces across the entire Gaza Strip, including the cessation of movement for military vehicles entering the territory; also, a cessation of all Israeli air traffic in the south for four days and a daily halt in the north for six hours, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM has been asked for. In addition, Hamas has asked for the entry of an increased number of trucks bearing humanitarian, relief, medical, and fuel aid into all areas of the Gaza Strip. Hamas will release 50 women and children, all under the age of 19, in exchange for the release of 150 women and children from the Israeli prisons, also under the age of 19 and based on the duration of their imprisonment. “While we announce the arrival of a truce agreement, we affirm that our hands will remain on the trigger, and our victorious battalions will remain on the lookout to defend our people and defeat the occupation and aggression,” said Hamas in a statement.

“We will continue the war until we achieve all of our war aims: To eliminate Hamas, return all of our hostages and our missing, and ensure that there is no element in Gaza that threatens Israel,” said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressing on the fact that a pause in fighting does not mean the end of the ‘war’ against Hamas. The Israeli prime minister informed the cabinet that agreeing to the deal with Hamas was ‘a difficult decision but it’s a right decision.’

In a statement, US President Joe Biden expressed his approval for the agreement to temporarily halt the fighting and ease the soaring tensions between Israel and Hamas. He extended his gratitude to the leaders of Egypt and Qatar – Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt – for their collaboration and efforts in mediating this truce.​