Hamas agreed to release at least 50 women and children who had been imprisoned in Gaza in return for a prolonged cease-fire and more supplies.
The agreement, which purportedly included the release of certain Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, had not yet been accepted by Israel. Sometime on Wednesday, a decision is anticipated, as per The Daily Beast.
Hamas Mulls Hostage Release Amid Global Pressure
11/16/2023 Kibbutz Gezer, Israel. A woman with her hands tied, holds a sign with the pictures of the hostages with bars, in the march of the hostages' families. The march left Tel Aviv yesterday, and on Saturday will arrive in Jerusalem for a rally in front of the Knesset. Hamas still has about 240 hostages.
It has been claimed that Hamas is mulling over an agreement with Israel that would result in the release of many hostages, including fifty women and children who were abducted on October 7.
According to The Washington Post, citing an Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations, revealed that Hamas has agreed in principle to this arrangement, bringing a glimmer of hope to the families affected by the hostage situation.
The initial attack on Israel on October 7 claimed more than 1,200 lives and resulted in the kidnapping of about 240 individuals, including Americans and other foreign nationals. Since then, international pressure has mounted for the release of these hostages, prompting concerted efforts by US, Israeli, and other countries' officials to negotiate a resolution.
As reported by The Washington Post, a potential deal has emerged that entails certain conditions for Israel. These conditions include agreeing to a temporary pause in the fighting, lasting between three to five days, and an escalation in providing humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
Since the outbreak of the war, the latter has faced relentless Israeli airstrikes. In addition to the terms of the agreement, it has been specified that a certain number of women and children currently detained in Israeli prisons will be released.
The potential deal requires Israel to agree to a three-to-five-day pause in the fighting and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. The latter has been subject to relentless Israeli airstrikes since the outbreak of the war. The deal also stipulates the release of an unspecified number of women and children held in Israeli prisons, according to Yahoo News.
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Biden's Push for Hostage Release
While Israel reportedly considered the proposal, the diplomat in the negotiations cautioned that the deal could easily fall apart. The diplomat emphasized the importance of Israel's response, stating, "If they reject it, then we're at it again." The delicate nature of the negotiations underscores the challenges in resolving the hostage crisis.
President Biden has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to address the situation. In a conversation with Qatar's leader, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the US president discussed ongoing efforts to increase humanitarian assistance in Gaza and secure the release of all hostages, including a 3-year-old American whose parents were killed by Hamas on October 7.
Speaking at a press conference in northern California, President Biden expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of a deal, suggesting that Israel had agreed to a "pause." He acknowledged the cooperation from Qatar and emphasized his commitment to securing the release of the hostages without resorting to US military involvement.
President Biden defended Israeli military actions, arguing that Hamas was committing war crimes by locating its military headquarters under a hospital. He highlighted Israel's efforts to minimize civilian harm and shift from indiscriminate bombing to more targeted ground operations.
As the negotiations unfold, the international community awaits Israel's response to the proposed deal. President Biden underscored the need for a two-state solution and expressed hope that the conflict would cease when Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israeli security. The delicate balance of diplomacy and the well-being of the hostages hangs in the balance as the world watches for developments in the Gaza hostage crisis, Telegraph reported.
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