Israeli Officials Announce No Pause in Gaza Fighting or Release of Hostages Until Friday
Israeli officials have announced that there will be no pause in the fighting between Israel and Gaza’s Hamas rulers, nor will there be any release of hostages held by Hamas, until Friday. This announcement comes despite the agreement of a truce between the two sides, which was approved by the Israeli government on Wednesday and was expected to take effect on Thursday.
No Halt in Fighting
An Israeli official stated that there would be no halt in the fighting before Friday, contradicting earlier expectations. This news follows a statement by national security adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, who confirmed that none of the hostages seized in the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7 would be freed before Friday. Hanegbi assured that negotiations for the release of the hostages were ongoing and progressing, but the start of the release would adhere to the original agreement between the two sides.
Truce Details
According to the agreement, Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day truce in the Gaza war. During this period, Hamas militants would release at least 50 of the hostages taken in their deadly attacks in daily batches. In return, Israel would release at least 150 Palestinian prisoners and allow more humanitarian aid into Gaza. This truce comes after more than six weeks of bombardment, heavy fighting, and a crippling siege.
Hostages and Prisoners Involved
The hostages set to be freed are women and children, while the Palestinian prisoners to be released are women and teenage boys aged 18 and under. The war between Israel and Hamas began when Hamas militants launched a devastating attack on October 7, which Israel claims to be the worst in its history. The attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the capture of around 240 hostages. In response, Israel initiated a major bombing campaign and subsequently launched a ground offensive in Gaza. Hamas claims that the Israeli offensive has resulted in the deaths of 14,100 people, including thousands of children.
Media Center Opening
In a separate development, Israeli officials announced that a media center would open in Tel Aviv at noon on Thursday to cover the return of the hostages. However, no further details were provided, and an explanation for this announcement was not immediately given.
Looking Ahead
As the fighting continues and the release of hostages remains postponed until Friday, tensions between Israel and Hamas persist. The truce agreement, once implemented, has the potential to provide a temporary respite from the violence and allow for the exchange of prisoners and humanitarian aid. However, the underlying issues and grievances that have fueled this conflict are far from resolved. The international community continues to call for a lasting and comprehensive solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict and ensures the safety and well-being of all those affected.
In conclusion, Israeli officials have confirmed that there will be no pause in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, nor will there be any release of hostages until Friday. This announcement comes despite the agreement of a truce between the two sides. The truce, once implemented, will see the release of hostages by Hamas in exchange for the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel and the provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. However, as tensions persist and the conflict continues, a lasting solution that addresses the underlying issues remains elusive.