Israel-Hamas truce deal for hostage release hits last-minute snag, now expected to start Friday

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“Last-Minute Delay in Israel-Hamas Truce Deal for Hostage Release; New Start Date Set for Friday”

An agreement aimed at establishing a four-day cease-fire in Gaza and securing the release of dozens of Hamas-held hostages and Palestinian prisoners held by Israel has encountered a last-minute setback. Initially scheduled to begin on Thursday, the truce will now take effect on Friday, according to an announcement by Israel’s national security adviser, Tzachi Hanegbi, who did not provide a specific reason for the delay. Reports in the Israeli media suggest that some final details are still being worked out.

The mediation efforts, which involved Qatar, the United States, Egypt, and other parties, aimed to bring some relief to the over 1.7 million Palestinians affected by weeks of Israeli bombardment. It also addressed the concerns of Israeli families with loved ones captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack, which triggered the ongoing conflict.

The Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, a key mediator in the negotiations with Hamas, stated that a new time for the agreement’s implementation would be announced shortly. The delay comes as hopes were raised for a potential resolution to the seven-week-long war that has caused significant destruction in Gaza, heightened violence in the occupied West Bank, and raised concerns about wider instability in the Middle East.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a nationally televised news conference, confirmed that the war would resume once the truce period expires. Israel’s objectives include dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, ending its 16-year rule in Gaza, and securing the release of all approximately 240 captives held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.

The agreement, if implemented, temporarily halts hostilities at a critical juncture. Israeli forces claim to have control over much of northern Gaza and have reported dismantling tunnels and a significant portion of Hamas’ infrastructure in the area. However, they acknowledge that key elements of Hamas’ infrastructure remain intact. There have been threats of wider operations in southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals have sought refuge in overcrowded U.N.-run shelters, facing shortages of essential supplies.

For Hamas, the cease-fire provides an opportunity to regroup after sustaining heavy losses in recent weeks. The release of Palestinian prisoners is expected to be a major achievement for Hamas leader Yehya Sinwar, who is believed to be in hiding in Gaza.

Under the truce agreement, the release of 50 hostages will occur in stages, in exchange for the liberation of around 150 Palestinian prisoners. Both sides have agreed to prioritize the release of women and children. Israel has also stipulated that the truce can be extended by an extra day for every additional 10 hostages freed by Hamas.

The hostage release is expected to bring relief to Israel, where the plight of the captives has garnered widespread attention and led to mass demonstrations by their families. Additionally, the cease-fire is set to facilitate the entry of humanitarian convoys and relief aid into Gaza, including fuel. Israel had previously cut off all fuel imports, causing a territory-wide blackout and increased reliance on generators in homes and hospitals.

The truce deal also includes provisions for the International Committee of the Red Cross to visit the hostages in captivity. Israel’s Justice Ministry has published a list of 300 prisoners eligible for release, primarily consisting of teenagers detained over the past year for minor offenses.

The conflict erupted when several thousand Hamas militants infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in casualties and the capture of hostages, including civilians and soldiers. Israel has a history of engaging in prisoner swaps with militant groups, and Hamas is expected to seek the release of a substantial number of high-profile Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli soldiers.

The conflict in Gaza, marked by weeks of Israeli airstrikes followed by a ground invasion, has taken a heavy toll, with over 11,000 Palestinians reportedly killed, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. The exact breakdown between civilians and militants is difficult to ascertain, but a significant number of the casualties have been women and children. The conflict has also resulted in the collapse of much of Gaza’s health system, leaving around 2,700 people missing and believed to be buried under rubble.

Israel asserts that it has eliminated thousands of Hamas fighters, though it has not provided concrete evidence to support this claim. The war has displaced three-quarters of Gaza’s population of 2.3 million, with many unable to return home due to extensive damage and the presence of Israeli troops in the northern region.

The United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, has reported that more than 1 million Palestinians are seeking shelter in its facilities in Gaza, with overcrowding forcing many to sleep on the streets as winter approaches. Despite the truce, the capacity of the Rafah crossing in Egypt, which serves as a limited entry point for aid, remains insufficient to meet the urgent needs of the population.

For more detailed coverage of this ongoing situation, you can visit https://bigbignews.net/israel-hamas-war.

Please note that this information is based on the provided text, and the situation may have developed further since its publication.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Israel-Hamas Truce Delay

More about Israel-Hamas Truce Delay

• Israel-Hamas Conflict Overview
• Qatar’s Role in Mediating Gaza Conflict
• International Committee of the Red Cross
• UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees
• History of Israel-Hamas Prisoner Swaps