By Ken Afor
Israel’s national security adviser declared that hostages would not be released under the temporary truce between Israel and Palestinian Hamas militants until Friday, thus disappointing the families and loved ones hoping for the hostages’ liberation on Thursday.
On Wednesday morning, Israel and Hamas struck a deal for a ceasefire in Gaza that shall last for four days minimum. This ceasefire is to facilitate the process of granting humanitarian aid and releasing at least 50 hostages held by militants in Gaza in exchange for the release of at least 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
Mediators have proposed a 10 a.m. start time of the truce on Thursday, and for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during their October 7 attack on Israel.
However, nothing has been officially confirmed yet. An Egyptian security source stated this information.
“The negotiations on the release of our hostages are advancing and continuing constantly,” Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said in a statement released by the prime minister’s office.
“The start of the release will take place according to the original agreement between the sides, and not before Friday,” it said.
Kan, Israel’s public broadcaster, reported that a 24-hour delay had occurred in a potential agreement between Hamas and mediator Qatar, due to the absence of a signature.
However, the anonymous Israeli official expressed optimism that the agreement would be executed once a signature was obtained.
“No one said there would be a release tomorrow except the media … We had to make it clear that no release is planned before Friday, because of the uncertainty that hostages’ families are facing,” Kan quoted a source in Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office as saying.
Israel’s Ynet news website reported that prior to the anticipated start of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, no information had been received from Hamas regarding the names of the hostages slated for release. This was according to anonymous officials cited in the Israeli media.
Five hostages have been rescued alive since Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, leading to 1,200 deaths – mostly civilians – and the hostage taking by Islamist gunmen of various nationalities.
Israel has launched a retaliatory siege and relentless bombardment on Gaza, which is ruled by Hamas. According to medical officials in the Gaza territory, this has resulted in the deaths of over 14,000 Gazans, with approximately 40% of them being children.
Early Thursday morning, it was reported by Palestinian media outlets that Israeli aircrafts and artillery hit Khan Younis, located in the south of Gaza, with two or more waves of attacks.
Israel To Allow Red Cross Visit Hostages
At a press conference Wednesday night, Netanyahu made no reference to any potential delays in the agreement’s implementation. About an hour later, Hanegbi issued a statement.
Prime Minister Netanyahu stated that the Red Cross will have access to all hostages still in Gaza.
“We need to know they are alive, if they’re okay. It’s the minimum,” said Gilad Korngold, finding only slight solace from the Israel-Hamas agreement, was one of many still attempting to learn the whereabouts of his relations; seven members of his family, among them his 3-year-old granddaughter, had been taken hostage.
“I want everybody back. But I think – and it’s a very tough decision – but I think the children and women must be (first). they’re most fragile. You know, they need to get out.”
John Kirby, White House national security spokesperson, remarked that the United States was looking forward to providing a large quantity of aid to Gaza in the upcoming days.
Netanyahu’s office announced that 50 hostages would be released gradually over the course of four days, no less than 10 being freed each day. The agreement could be extended if 10 more hostages were freed daily, the office added.
Meanwhile, the Justice Ministry of Israel released a roster of 300 Palestinian inmates who could be liberated.
Hamas declared that the first 50 hostages would be freed in return for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails, along with hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, medical and fuel supplies allowed entry into Gaza. They also mentioned that Israel will suspend all air raids over southern Gaza, and maintain a 6-hour daily ‘no-fly’ window in the northern area.
After Qatar’s intervention to mediate the war, which had been ongoing for close to seven weeks, the fighting sides reached a truce agreement. This accord was viewed by global powers as a potential way to alleviate the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
Head of the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Catherine Russell informed the U.N. Security Council on Wednesday that Gaza is the ‘most dangerous place in the world to be a child.’ According to Russell, more than 5,300 Palestinian children had been killed since October 7.
“The true cost of this latest war in Palestine and Israel will be measured in children’s lives – those lost to the violence and those forever changed by it. Without an end to the fighting and full humanitarian access, the cost will continue to grow exponentially,” Russell said.
