A ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict began early Friday, paving the way for the exchange of numerous hostages held by militants in Gaza, for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. This pause in fighting offers some relief for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, who have faced weeks of Israeli airstrikes. Families in Israel, concerned about the fate of their loved ones captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack that sparked the conflict, also stand to benefit from the temporary truce.
The cease-fire kicked off at 7 am local time (0500 GMT) and is to last at least four days. During this period, Gaza’s ruling Hamas group pledged to free at least 50 of the about 240 hostages it and other militants took on 7 October. Hamas said Israel would free 150 Palestinian prisoners.
Both sides have agreed to prioritise the release of women and children first. Israel has stated that the ceasefire will be extended for an additional day for every 10 hostages freed. The truce-for-hostages agreement resulted from weeks of intense indirect negotiations, with Qatar, the United States, and Egypt serving as mediators. If upheld, it would represent the first significant break in fighting since Israel initiated the conflict against Hamas seven weeks ago. The agreement has sparked hopes of eventually de-escalating the war, which has caused extensive damage in Gaza, led to increased violence in the occupied West Bank, and raised concerns about a broader conflict in the Middle East.
A preliminary group of 13 women and children held by Hamas is set to be released Friday afternoon, as confirmed by Majed al-Ansari, the spokesperson of the Qatari foreign ministry. For each released hostage, three Palestinian prisoners, including women and minors, will be freed. Israel’s Justice Ministry has published a list of 300 eligible prisoners, primarily teenagers detained in the past year for offences such as rock-throwing.
Hamas has announced that 200 trucks per day will enter Gaza carrying aid, with Qatar mentioning that the aid will include fuel, though specific quantities have not been disclosed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to continue the war after the truce concludes with the objective of dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities, bringing an end to its 16-year rule in Gaza, and securing the release of all approximately 240 captives held by Hamas and other groups in Gaza.
“We will continue it until we achieve all our goals,” Netanyahu said, adding that he had delivered the same message in a phone call to US President Joe Biden.
