Israel and Hamas agree to breakthrough deal on hostage release and four-day truce

Qatar’s lead negotiator Minister of State Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said the agreement should prompt the international community to “seize this brief window of opportunity to generate further momentum for the diplomatic track.”

The agreement was made after the Israeli government faced increasing pressure from the families of the hostages, who have been asking for explanations and action from Netanyahu. It 

Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day ceasefire and the release of at least 50 women and children who were being held hostage in Gaza. This marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough, coming nearly seven weeks after the start of a conflict that has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in the area.

The deal, brokered by Qatar, involves the exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinian women and children in Israeli jails. The ceasefire will also allow for the entry of more humanitarian aid into Gaza.

The exact start time of the ceasefire will be announced within the next 24 hours, with Israeli officials stating that it is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. local time on Thursday. There is a possibility for the ceasefire to last up to 10 days, but Israeli officials are not optimistic about it lasting that long.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that for every 10 hostages released, there will be an additional day of ceasefire. Additionally, the US and Israel will both halt drone flights over Gaza for six hours each day as part of the agreement to secure the release of the hostages.

Qatar's lead negotiator, Minister of State Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, stated that the agreement should encourage the international community to take advantage of this short period of opportunity to build further momentum for the diplomatic process.

The announcement has been met with relief and increased anticipation from the families of the hostages, who are now waiting for more information about their loved ones.

The international community has also reacted positively to the agreement. Egyptian President Abdelfattah El-Sisi reiterated Egypt's commitment to finding a lasting solution for the Palestinian people, while Qatar's prime minister expressed hope that the development will lead to a comprehensive and sustainable agreement that will end the war and bloodshed.

Jordan's foreign ministry expressed hope that the foreign-mediated deal will be a step towards a complete cessation of the war in Gaza. In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov welcomed the deal, stating that Moscow views it positively and describing it as the first good news from Gaza in a long time.

The agreement for the release of hostages from Gaza is expected to happen over four days, with the first swap scheduled for Thursday at 10 a.m. Israeli time. Around 50 Israeli hostages, some of whom have dual nationalities, are expected to be released during this time. At least 10 hostages will be released each day, but the number could be higher.

The first exchange of hostages or prisoners is the most important to ensure that the agreed-upon mechanism is functioning properly, according to the source. Before each release, Israel and Hamas will provide the Red Cross with a list of names of the individuals who will be released the following day.

The Red Cross will transport the hostages to Rafah, where specially trained Israeli soldiers will meet them. The soldiers will check that the hostages released are the ones expected and on the list. The families of the hostages will not be informed until the identities of the released hostages have been confirmed.

The hostages will be transported by helicopter to specific hospitals in Israel, where they will be placed in special areas and rooms that are not accessible to the public. After being held captive for over six weeks, their families will finally be able to see them at these hospitals.

Hamas is currently holding 239 hostages in Gaza, including foreign nationals from 26 different countries, according to information from the Israeli military. These hostages were taken at gunpoint during a coordinated attack on October 7, in which Hamas militants crossed the border and killed around 1,200 people. This attack is considered the largest of its kind on Israel since the country was founded in 1948.

Before the agreement was made, only a small number of hostages had been freed. In response to the attack, Israel declared war on Hamas and placed a blockade on Gaza, preventing the delivery of essential supplies such as food, water, medicine, and fuel. They also launched a continuous air and ground attack. According to data from the Palestinian health ministry in the West Bank, which relies on information from Hamas-run health authorities, approximately 12,700 people have been killed in Gaza since October 7.

The recently announced agreement came after weeks of discussions involving the United States and Egypt. It was officially approved by Israel's cabinet in the early hours of Wednesday morning after a lengthy and intense six-hour meeting, which was described by an Israeli official as being tense and emotional.

The government has announced that if certain conditions are met, around 150 Palestinian prisoners will be released over a period of four days as part of the initial hostage release.

The first group of hostages is expected to be released from Gaza soon. US officials have identified a list of 10 hostages that they think are likely to be released on the first day. It is uncertain if any of the three American hostages, including 3-year-old Abigail Edan, will be among those released on the first day.

The agreement is arranged in a specific manner where every day a set of hostages will be given to the Red Cross. The Red Cross will then take the hostages to a specific border point, which will be chosen based on where the hostages are located.

Many of the first 50 hostages are expected to be released through Egypt, according to the source. The first two days of the hostage release will be considered a trial period to ensure the process is functioning properly. By the third day, there will be intense discussions about the possibility of releasing a second group of hostages beyond the initial 50.

The agreement was made after the Israeli government faced increasing pressure from the families of the hostages, who have been asking for explanations and action from Netanyahu. It also comes at a time when there is increasing international pressure for more humanitarian aid to be provided to the people of Gaza.