Four-day Truce Announced for Hostage Exchange and Humanitarian Aid

On Wednesday, Israel’s government has approved a deal with Hamas for a four-day truce. This will allow the release of 50 hostages, as well as humanitarian aid to reach Gaza’s civilian population.

The negotiation was in large part mediated by Quatar, where most of the senior political leaders of Hamas live. Over the four-day truce, Hamas is to release some of the hostages – specifically women and children – each day.

Hamas currently holds roughly 240 hostages, captured during the series of coordinated attacks which took place on 7 October. According to US President Joe Biden, holders of double Israeli and American citizenship are among the hostage set for release.

“I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th. I’m gratified that these brave souls, who have endured an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” Biden said.

“I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical partnership in reaching this deal. And I appreciate Prime Minister Netanyahu’s commitment in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out.

“From the earliest moments of Hamas’s brutal assault – my team and I have worked closely with regional partners to do everything possible to secure the release of our fellow citizens. Today’s deal will bring home more American hostages.”

US officials have revealed that, as part of the deal, Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s Justice Ministry has published a list of 300 prisoners who may be potentially among those released. Many of them are Palestinian teenagers arrested for minor offenses.

Truce a ‘First Step’, Campaign Group Says

A four-day truce will allow for humanitarian aid to reach the Gaza population, who have endured huge losses and displacement. According to the Israeli government, the pause may last longer if Hamas releases more hostages.

“The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause,” a statement reads. However, war seems set to resume just as viciously once the truce, however long it lasts, comes to an end.

“The Government of Israel, the IDF and the security services will continue the war in order to return home all of the hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to the State of Israel from Gaza.”

Campaign group Jewish Voices for Peace (JVP) welcomed the truce as “a first step”.

“A permanent ceasefire is urgently needed to save lives,” a statement reads.

“We welcome reports of a temporary reprieve from Israel’s brutal bombardment of Palestinian civilians, and of the entrance of more humanitarian aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza. We also welcome the release and return home of more Israeli civilians held by Hamas and of Palestinian women and children held by Israel. Every single life saved – Palestinian and Israeli – is saving a whole universe.”

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