By Glaiza Salanio

Israel and the Palestinian militant group, Hamas, started a four-day ceasefire on Friday, November 24, after both sides agreed to free hostages held by Hamas and the Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

According to Qatar Officials, the mediator of the deal, Hamas released 24 hostages (13 Israelis, 10 Thais, and a Filipino) while 39 Palestinians were released from Israeli custody during the first day of the truce.

On the 25th, the second group of hostages, including 13 Israelis and four Thais, arrived in Israel, and 39 Palestinians were also released.

“We have just completed the return of the first batch of our hostages—children, their mothers, and other women. Each and every one of them is a world in itself,” Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. 

“But I stress to you, the families, and to you, citizens of Israel: We are committed to returning all our hostages,” he added.

The agreement

Qatar played a major role in the deal since Hamas has a political office in Doha and the Qatar government kept an open communication with Israel.

The United States was also involved because of President Joe Biden’s connections with Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Furthermore, Egypt, a neighboring country, had also engaged in the deal.

Based on the agreement between Israel and Hamas, a total of 50 hostages would be released during the four-day truce.

Meanwhile, Israel’s military operation against Hamas would continue “forcefully” according to Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and the conflict is expected to last for at least two more months. 

“This will be a brief pause. When it ends, the fighting will continue forcefully, and will create pressure that will allow the return of more hostages,” Gallant said on Thursday. 

After freeing the third group of hostages consisting of 17 Israelis and foreign nationals, as well as 39 Palestinians on Sunday, Hamas said that they want to extend the ceasefire with Israel beyond Monday.

On Tuesday, November 28, the State of Qatar announced that the agreement was extended for two more days in the Gaza Strip.

Thumbnail from Reuters