Israeli artillery train their guns toward the Gaza Strip on November 21, 2023, in southern Israel. Christopher Furlong/Getty Images
Published November 22, 2023
The agreement is a pause, not a ceasefire. That distinction matters — a lot.
For anyone concerned about the people of Israel and Gaza, the just-announced deal for a break in the fighting between Israel and Hamas should be considered good news.
Per the agreement, Hamas will release 50 women and children taken hostage during the October 7 attack on southern Israel. In exchange, Israel will commit to a four-day cessation of its offensive in Gazaduring which it will allow increased flow of relief into Gaza. It will also release roughly 150 Palestinians from Israeli prisons (a group that, per Israeli insistence, includes no Palestinians convicted of murder).
The deal is, in the most immediate sense, a humanitarian measure. Palestinians suffering from a brutal Israeli assault will get a reprieve from indiscriminate bombing and punishing ground warfare. International organizations will get much-needed time to improve their capacities to operate in Gaza. And Israeli hostages will be freed from the horrors of Hamas bondage, reunited with families who have missed them terribly.
But make no mistake: This deal does not alter the fundamental dynamics driving Israel to wage war in Gaza. After the horrors of October 7, Israel concluded it could no longer tolerate a Hamas-run government on its border — and plans to wage war until it believes it has sufficiently ground Hamas into dust. Neither international political pressure nor the risks of a seemingly nonexistent post-war planhave yet dissuaded Israel from pursuing that goal.
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SOURCE: www.vox.com
RELATED: The Israel-Hamas hostage deal, explained
A demonstration to bring the Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas back home, organized by the Hostages and Missing Families Forum. Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
Published November 22, 2023
Here’s what the reported hostage deal does — and doesn’t — mean for war in Gaza.
Late Tuesday, the Israeli government and Hamas reached a deal that will bring the first pause in hostilities in over six weeks — and bring at least some Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners home.
Qatar, which brokered the deal over the last month, confirmed it on Tuesday night, after its rough outline had been reported throughout the day. Now, Hamas and Israel are working out the final details. Hamas would exchange 50 hostages — women and children who are Israeli and dual-national — with Israel for about 150 Palestinian prisoners currently held in custody, mostly women. The swap will happen in four phases, and the corridor and exact procedure are still being negotiated, including the lists of those who would be exchanged.
If all goes to plan, Israel would commence a four-day ceasefire in Gaza and would also stop drone overflights for six hours a day. After those days, the ceasefire could be extended a day with each additional 10 hostages Hamas releases. During this period, Israel would not allow Palestinians to return to northern Gaza, but would allow some 300 trucks of aid in daily, including fuel.
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SOURCE: www.vox.com
RELATED: ‘Significant development’: The Israel-Hamas hostage deal explained
Agreement leaves more to be done and many captives behind
A protest in Tel Aviv on Monday calling for the release of minor Israeli hostages held in Gaza. The deal involves the release of at least 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA
Published November 22, 2023
After 45 days of devastating war, Israel and Hamas have agreed a hostage deal and a pause in hostilities, marking the most significant diplomatic breakthrough of the conflict.
The agreement was finalised early on Wednesday after weeks of complex negotiations brokered by Qatar, with input from the US and Egypt. It is expected to take force on Thursday.
What has been agreed?
The deal involves the release of at least 50 women and children held hostage in Gaza in return for a four-day halt to hostilities; the release from prison in Israel of 150 Palestinian women and children; and significant quantities of humanitarian aid, including fuel, for the territory.
Israeli hostages are to be released in batches of 10 to 12 over successive days. A similar schedule will see the release of the Palestinian prisoners once the first Israelis return home.
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SOURCE: www.Irishtimes.com
