AFP | Gaza
Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com
Yesterday, Hamas released dozens of hostages from war-torn Gaza after Hamas leader and chief mediator Qatar said a ceasefire agreement was in sight and Israeli Prime Minister noted “progress”. I had high hopes that it would be possible.
The announcement is the most optimistic sign yet of a possible breakthrough in a conflict that has raged for more than six weeks and has left thousands dead on both sides.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said: “We are close to reaching a ceasefire agreement.” “We are very optimistic and very hopeful,” Qatari Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Majid Al-Ansari told reporters. “We are the closest we have ever been to an agreement.” .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has vowed to destroy Hamas, was more cautious, telling soldiers at the base only that “progress is being made” on the return of the hostages.
He said an announcement could be made later yesterday after Downing Street announced a meeting between the war and security cabinet and the government, adding: “I hope there will be good news soon.” I hope,” he added. US President Joe Biden, who does not support a full ceasefire, said a temporary ceasefire was “now very close”.
“We will be able to bring some of these hostages home soon,” he said. “But I don’t want to go into details because nothing starts until it’s over.”
release agreement
Hopes for a release agreement have grown after Qatar announced on Sunday that only “minor” practical issues remained.
Speculation increased yesterday when the International Committee of the Red Cross, which is often involved in prisoner exchanges and hostage releases, announced that its president had met with Haniyeh in Qatar.
Despite talk of a temporary truce, fighting continues to rage in the bloodiest war in Gaza’s history, triggered by the October 7 attack, in which Israel said Hamas fighters had killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians. announced that he had been murdered. In retaliation, Israel launched relentless bombing and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip.
According to the Hamas government, the war has killed more than 14,100 people, including nearly 6,000 children and nearly 4,000 women. Officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who also took part in the attack, told AFP on condition of anonymity that the two groups had agreed to the terms of the ceasefire agreement.
The interim agreement includes a five-day ceasefire consisting of a complete ceasefire on the ground and a cessation of Israeli air operations over Gaza, excluding the north, for only six hours each day.
Under the agreement, which is subject to change, 50 to 100 Israeli civilian and foreign hostages will be freed, but no military personnel, sources said. In return, about 300 Palestinians, including women and minors, will be released from Israeli prisons.