IRIA News

Qatar has formally announced the highly anticipated deal between Israel and Hamas. Under the truce, Israel will pause all military actions in Gaza for four days and allow aid trucks to reach the besieged city in exchange for 50 people held captive by Hamas.

Israel and Hamas will begin a four-day truce on Friday morning with a first group of 13 Israeli women and child hostages released later that day, according to mediators in Qatar.

After more than six weeks of fighting that has destroyed extensive areas of Gaza and killed thousands, Israel and Hamas have agreed on a four-day-long ceasefire. Qatar played a major role in mediating the deal between the two warring sides. Qatar, Israel, and Hamas released their respective statements on November 23, acknowledging the truce.

“The State of Qatar announces the success of its joint mediation efforts undertaken with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), resulting in an agreement for a humanitarian pause,” a statement released by Qatar’s foreign ministry said.

“The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons, the number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” it added.

The statement also noted that the humanitarian pause will also allow the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.

Hamas released an official statement acknowledging the truce. “Inspired by our responsibility towards our patient and determined Palestinian people, and our tireless endeavor to support the steadfastness of our heroic people in the dignified Gaza Strip, and to provide relief and treat their wounds, and in our work to consolidate the will of our victorious resistance on October 7 in the face of the Zionist enemy,” Hamas said.

Terms of truce

• Both sides have agreed on a four-day-long ceasefire. Israel would halt all military activities in Gaza.
• Hamas would release 50 women and children from the 237 captives, that were taken hostage during the October 7 attacks.
• Israel has agreed to release 150 Palestinian prisoners.
• Both sides have agreed to increase the flow of humanitarian aid during the four-day-long ceasefire.
• Israel has expressed willingness to extend the ceasefire, adding a day for every 10 additional hostages released by Hamas.

Israeli war cabinet backs for talks

Following the talks of the truce and Qatari mediated agreement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a war cabinet meeting. The cabinet backed the government to continue talks for the release of hostages. Only three of the 38 members of the cabinet voted against the truce.

The three cabinet members who voted against the truce included Israel’s National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other members of his far-right political party.

The Israeli war cabinet also reviewed a list of more than 300 Palestinian prisoners, mostly underaged captives and teens who are already eligible for release, to finalize the release of 150 Palestinians as a part of the deal.

United States role

The White House had been closely following the potential truce between the two warring sides. On November 20, U.S. President Joe Biden predicted that a deal to free the captives was very close. At that time the White House clarified that terms had not been finalized.

Following the finalization of the truce, Biden acknowledged the efforts by the Qatari Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Egypt’s President, Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, who played a major role in paving the way for talks. Biden thanked the two leaders for their “critical leadership and partnership”.

“I look forward to speaking with each of these leaders and staying in close contact as we work to ensure this deal is carried through in its entirety,” the White House said in a statement. “It is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented.”

It must be noted that Israel is not withdrawing its forces from Gaza, while Hamas is also keeping its soldiers on high alert during the ceasefire period. Neither side is expected to hold back on restarting hostilities if the other breaks any of the terms of the agreement.