The first lengthy break in fighting in Gaza for six weeks is imminent, with Israel set to announce the start of a four-day pause in the next 24 hours in exchange for dozens of hostages.
A deal brokered in Qatar and ratified by the Israeli government will see the pause take effect following Hamas‘ release of around 50 hostages currently being held in Gaza. Israel will then release 150 Palestinian women and teenagers held in Israeli detention while giving aid agencies an opportunity to bring much-needed food, water and fuel into Gaza. Temporary pauses are also being instituted today in two areas in south Gaza.
The move will be the first time the fighting has stopped since October 7, when Hamas killed around 1,400 people in Israel and kidnapped more than 200, shocking the world. Since then, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) have mounted a sustained ground and bombing attack on Gaza, causing the mass evacuation of thousands. Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry says more than 14,000 people – including more than 5,000 children – have been killed. Most recently, the IDF has been attacking the al-Shifa hospital, which it says harbors a Hamas control base.
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the war effort will continue once the four days has elapsed. He has previously said Israel will not stop until Hamas is destroyed. His cabinet met yesterday to approve the deal.
President Joe Biden said he appreciated Netanyahu’s “commitment” to supporting the pause. Biden described himself “extraordinarily gratified” that some of the hostages who have “endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal” will be reunited with their families.
Biden has been involved in brokering the deal and around 10 Americans are presumed to be held captive, according to the BBC.
Deadline has spoken over the weeks with a number of people working in the Israeli entertainment industry who have had family taken captive by Hamas. One, whose relatives were taken hostage from a kibbutz, said Israeli officials have been “struggling to handle this unbelievable tragedy.”
The conflict continues to overshadow the world, generating headlines daily. Yesterday, UTA dropped Susan Sarandon for making antisemitic remarks at a pro-Palestine rally.
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