Revised Cease-Fire and Hostage Release in Gaza to Commence Friday

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The anticipated cease-fire in Gaza and the liberation of numerous hostages, initially hampered by a last-minute impediment, is now rescheduled to begin on Friday. This revision comes after an earlier declaration of a Thursday start.

The cease-fire, set to last four days, brings hope to the 2.3 million Palestinians in Gaza suffering from ongoing Israeli attacks. It also offers some solace to Israelis anxious about family members captured during the Hamas assault on October 7, which sparked the conflict.

Tzachi Hanegbi, Israel’s national security adviser, announced the delay on Wednesday night, though no specific reason was provided. Efforts to finalize the cease-fire terms and prisoner exchange are ongoing, as stated by Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson. Qatar has been instrumental in the negotiations with Hamas.

The Persian Gulf nation, which announced the cease-fire’s delay early Thursday, stated that a new start time would be released soon. The United States and Egypt also played significant roles in brokering the deal.

Escalating Casualties in Gaza

The Health Ministry in Gaza reported over 13,300 Palestinian deaths from the conflict, not accounting for casualties in the northern region where health services have collapsed. An estimated 6,000 people are missing, feared buried beneath debris.

As of November 11, the ministry ceased its casualty reports due to the breakdown of the health sector in the north. The counts do not distinguish between civilian and militant deaths. Israel, however, claims to have killed thousands of Hamas fighters, though no concrete evidence has been provided.

Netanyahu’s Stance on the Truce

Despite the cease-fire, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has committed to continuing the war against Hamas post-truce. His objective includes dismantling Hamas’s military capabilities, ending their rule in Gaza, and securing the release of approximately 240 hostages held by Hamas and allied groups.

The Situation in Northern Israel

Northern Israel experienced air raid sirens as Hezbollah launched 48 Katyusha rockets from southern Lebanon, in retaliation for an Israeli attack that killed five Hezbollah members. The Israeli military responded by targeting the rocket launch sites. This exchange intensifies concerns about a broader conflict in the region.

Humanitarian and Political Impacts

The cease-fire would allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, including necessary fuel supplies, as confirmed by Qatar. Israel had previously halted all fuel imports, leading to a severe power crisis in the region.

The truce also includes a phased release of 50 hostages in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. Israel has agreed to extend the truce by a day for every additional ten hostages released.

The conclusion of the cease-fire is expected to have significant political and humanitarian implications, especially in the context of the widespread displacement and destruction in Gaza.

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