The first day of the truce witnessed the liberation of 24 captives in Gaza, a diverse group including 10 Thai nationals, one Filipino, and 13 Israeli women and children. In a reciprocal gesture, 24 Palestinian women, including two 18-year-olds, and 15 boys who had been confined in Israel were set free. The emotional handover unfolded at the Rafah border crossing, where the captives were transferred out of Gaza into the custody of Egyptian authorities.
After 48 harrowing days of war and relentless bombardment, a glimmer of hope emerged with the commencement of a four-day truce in the Israel-Gaza conflict. This fragile respite began with a poignant exchange of captives and prisoners, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing strife.
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The anticipated outcome of the four-day cease-fire is the exchange of 50 women and children taken captive by Hamas for 150 Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israeli jails. Additionally, it presents a chance for relief supplies to reach the beleaguered community, where the bombardment has claimed the lives of around 15,000 people—more than 6,000 of them children.
Day 1 of Ceasefire
The first day of the truce witnessed the liberation of 24 captives in Gaza, a diverse group including 10 Thai nationals, one Filipino, and 13 Israeli women and children. In a reciprocal gesture, 24 Palestinian women, including two 18-year-olds, and 15 boys who had been confined in Israel were set free. The emotional handover unfolded at the Rafah border crossing, where the captives were transferred out of Gaza into the custody of Egyptian authorities. Accompanied by eight staff members from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the captives embarked on this journey to reclaim their freedom.
As the clock struck 7:00 am local time (05:00 GMT) on November 24, 2023, the combat between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters ceased, bringing a temporary halt to the seven-week-long conflict. Notably absent were the thunderous echoes of bombings, the ominous whir of artillery, and the piercing streaks of rocket attacks. IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari confirmed that, among the released captives by Hamas, the 11 freed foreign nationals were returned to Israel alongside the Israeli hostages released on Friday night. He assured the public that they all underwent an initial medical assessment at the Kerem Shalom crossing, emphasizing that their lives are not at risk.
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Srettha Thavisin, announced the release of 10 Thai nationals who had been held captive in Gaza. This development followed confirmation that Hamas released the individuals. The captives were among 23 Thai workers taken during the October 7 attack, which resulted in the tragic death of 32 Thai workers. Notably, the release of these men appears unrelated to ongoing truce negotiations and stemmed from separate talks mediated by Egypt and Qatar with Hamas.
However, in this fragile calm, accusations of sporadic shootings reverberated from both sides, with Hamas and Israel pointing fingers at each other. During the agreed ceasefire, Israeli confronted hundreds of Palestinian civilians attempting to return to their homes in north Gaza. Despite warnings through media and leaflet drops, Israeli soldiers fired at them, resulting in two fatalities and 11 injuries. This incident underscores the limitations of the ceasefire and the challenges faced by Palestinian civilians, sparking concerns about the need for a more comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Families Gather for Emotional Homecoming in Palestine
At precisely 7:34 pm (17:34 GMT), Qatar officially announced the liberation of 39 Palestinian women and children who had been detained in Israeli prisons. The group was promptly relocated to Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank, where, outside its gates, families eagerly awaited the long-awaited homecoming of their loved ones.
Among the liberated individuals is Marah Bakeer, who, at the tender age of 16, was apprehended in 2015. She stands as a poignant symbol of the initial wave of Palestinian women and children set free under the terms of the truce agreement. Speaking to reporters, Bakeer disclosed the urgent medical needs of many released prisoners, citing a pervasive pattern of neglect during their detention. She herself bears witness to this, having been shot in the arm during her arrest.
In the midst of this joyous moment, Amani al-Hashim’s story adds a personal dimension. From occupied East Jerusalem, she shared her disbelief at being in her house, surrounded by family, after enduring a 10-year sentence following accusations by Israel in 2018. Despite warnings from Israeli police not to celebrate, al-Hashim remains unwavering, declaring,
“They cannot steal our joy. They are trying to steal this moment and not allow us to celebrate, but the fact that I’m here with my family is in itself a joy.”
UN’s Fuel, Gas, and Medical Aid Boosts Gaza Recovery
With continual effect of the truce, the United Nations’ humanitarian office has escalated its aid delivery operations in Gaza on the first day of the ceasefire. The UN reported the following developments in a press statement:
Biden’s Backing for Israel Continues
President Biden, addressing the ongoing situation, stated that the details of the second wave of releases would become clear within the next hours. Expressing uncertainty about the timeline for the release of American hostages, he emphasized the lack of information regarding their conditions and specific identities.
Encouraging Prime Minister Netanyahu to focus on minimizing casualties while pursuing the objective of eliminating Hamas, Biden acknowledged the challenging nature of this task and the unknown duration it may entail. The President conveyed a cautious stance, expressing a lack of trust in Hamas to act responsibly, only expecting a response under pressure.
Expressing gratitude for families reuniting with loved ones held hostage for nearly 50 days, Biden attributed the success of the deal to extensive U.S. diplomacy, involving numerous calls to leaders in the region. Despite the hope for an extension, the Biden’s clear stance is that eliminating Hamas is a legitimate objective, expressing unwavering support for Israel. The temporary nature of the truce, contingent on the release of captives, underscores the U.S.’s backing for Israel’s resumption of military operations in Gaza.
While the president emphasizes minimizing civilian casualties, critics within the U.S., even within his own Democratic Party’s progressive wing, call for a more assertive push for a complete ceasefire.
