Israel and Hamas reached a temporary pause in the war, allowing the release of approximately 50 individuals held captive in Gaza since October 7. The Israeli cabinet endorsed the agreement after talks on a Qatar-mediated deal, which extended into the early hours of Wednesday morning, November 22, 2023. Heated exchanges among Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ministers were reported in Israeli media.
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Ultimately, only three of the 38 cabinet members voted against the truce, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two others from his far-right political party. The prime minister’s office stated that the deal requires Hamas to release at least 50 women and children during a four-day truce. For each additional 10 hostages released, the pause would be extended by a day, though the release of Palestinian prisoners was not explicitly mentioned.
Israel To Halt Military Actions, Allow Aid, And Exchange Prisoners
In a brief statement, the prime minister’s office affirmed Israel’s commitment to returning all hostages home, approving the proposed deal as a crucial first step toward that goal. Hamas, in control of Gaza, released a statement confirming the exchange of 50 women and children in Gaza for 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails. The statement also outlined Israel halting all military actions in Gaza and permitting the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical, and fuel aid.
This accord marks the first truce in a war that witnessed Israel flattening vast swaths of Gaza, home to approximately 2.3 million people. Palestinian officials report over 14,100 casualties, including at least 5,600 children and 3,550 women. with the United Nations noting 1.7 million people forced from their homes. In its attack on Israel, Hamas caused at least 1,200 deaths.
Qatar, the United States, Israel, and Hamas had been hinting at an imminent deal for days, with Qatar later confirming the success of mediation efforts involving Egypt and the United States, outlining the broad parameters of the agreement. The statement confirmed a four-day pause, extendable, with humanitarian aid sent to Gaza and the release of 50 women and children held captive in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. The statement hinted at an increasing number of releases in later stages.
World Leaders’ Comments On The Truce
US President Joe Biden expressed gratitude, thanking Qatar’s Emir and Egypt’s President for their critical leadership. The White House emphasized the importance of fully implementing all aspects of the deal.
In a subsequent statement, Qatar affirmed the “success” of mediation efforts, which included Egypt and the United States, and confirmed the broad parameters of the agreement. “The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension,” the statement declared.
The statement added that the “number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement,” without providing specific details.
The Chinese Foreign Affairs spokesperson Mao Ning expressed hopes that the move “will help alleviate the plight of the humanitarian crisis, promote the de-escalation of conflicts, and ease tensions.”
European Commission President Von der Leyen welcomed the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas on the release of 50 captives and a pause in hostilities in Gaza. “The European Commission will do its utmost to use this pause for a humanitarian surge to Gaza,” she said in a statement.
Iran announced that Foreign Minister Amirabdollahian will begin a regional tour, starting in Lebanon, following the deal announcement between Israel and Hamas. “The visit aligns with Iran’s diplomatic initiatives aimed at halting the Zionist regime’s assaults on Gaza, lifting the blockade, and providing humanitarian aid to the oppressed people of Gaza.”
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov praised the agreement as a much-needed positive development. “Russia, along with most countries worldwide, has consistently advocated for a ceasefire and humanitarian pauses. These pauses are essential as they lay the groundwork for future attempts at a sustainable settlement,” Peskov commented.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan expressed his contemplation of traveling to Egypt to facilitate additional assistance for the injured in Gaza. Emphasizing the necessity for unity and solidarity within the Islamic world concerning Gaza, Erdogan stated, “When that fist hits the table with all its force, it will not be possible for Israel to continue its occupation or oppression.”
He urged concerted efforts for a ceasefire, substantial aid delivery to Gaza, and the city’s reconstruction through economic, political, and diplomatic channels. “We must compel Israel to adhere to international law and be held accountable for its actions,” he added. “I may arrange a trip to Egypt as soon as possible,” Erdogan said, to discuss evacuations of the injured.
“We Will Continue The War” – Netanyahu
Netanyahu, emphasizing Israel’s stance, declared, “We are at war, and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals.” He underlined the objectives as destroying Hamas, securing the return of all hostages, and ensuring that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel.
“There is nonsense talk outside that after returning our abductees we will stop the war,” he said.
He added any pause will allow Israel’s military to “re-prepare” for fighting.
Israel’s far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich have opposed the deal. Both are members of Israel’s security cabinet and the main government cabinet.
Some analysts suggested that the international community should leverage the pause to work towards a more lasting resolution. Antony Loewenstein, an independent journalist and author based in Australia, urged massive pressure on Israel during the pause to prevent a resumption of fighting.
About 237 captives from Israel and other countries are believed to be in Gaza, with Biden mentioning the release of some Americans during the upcoming pause. Other foreign nationals are not believed to be part of the agreement.
Hamas has released only four captives since the abductions occurred over a month ago—an American mother and her daughter and two elderly Israeli women. The al-Quds Brigades, the armed wing of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad group, involved in the October 7 raid, reported that one of the Israelis they held captive had died. They claimed to have expressed willingness to release her for humanitarian reasons, but alleged Israeli stalling led to her death, as stated on their Telegram channel.
