Faith Nyasuguta
Israel and Hamas have given a nod to a humanitarian pause in Gaza that will last for at least four days, according to the Qatari government. The start of the temporary cease-fire will be announced within 24 hours, it noted.
The deal includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages who are currently held in the Palestinian enclave, in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the announcement said.
Earlier, the Israeli government voted to accept a deal that would release some hostages being held by Hamas in Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his war cabinet for the vote on Tuesday.
The U.S. State Department had reiterated later in the day that “we’re close to a deal,” but cautioned that Israeli cabinet members were in the process of discussing the matter.
Netanyahu had earlier said that negotiations on the release of hostages taken by Hamas were making progress. “I don’t think it’s worth saying too much, not even at this moment, but I hope there will be good news soon,” Benjamin Netanyahu said, according to a Google-translated statement from his office.
The statement came after Hamas political leader, Ismail Haniyeh, said that the Palestinian militant group and Israel were “close to reaching a truce agreement.”
A separate Hamas official, Izzat al-Rishq, said ongoing talks focused on an exchange of women and children held by both Israel and the Palestinian militant group.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken hailed the deal to release hostages as “significant progress.”
“Today’s outcome is the result of tireless diplomacy and relentless effort across the United States government,” Blinken said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. He said the fight to release the rest of the hostages held by Hamas militants will continue.
“While this deal marks significant progress, we will not rest as long as Hamas continues to hold hostages in Gaza.”
US president Joe Biden has thanked the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their “critical leadership and partnership” in helping to strike the temporary cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas.
The humanitarian pause will allow 50 civilian women and children to be released in exchange for Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, according to Qatar, which was part of the negotiation effort.
“I appreciate the commitment that [Israeli] Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have made in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out and to ensure the provision of additional humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian families in Gaza,” Biden said in a statement.
The President noted that his highest priority wasto ensure the safety of Americans held hostage around the world.
“It is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented,” he added.
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