Israel, Hamas agree 4-day truce for hostage release and aid into Gaza

In exchange, 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel will be freed, and the agreement allows for the entry of humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip. This development follows secret negotiations mediated by Qatar, with involvement from the U.S., Israel, and Hamas.

Hamas, which has been holding more than 200 hostages since its incursion into Israel on October 7th, has agreed to release 50 women and children over the four-day period. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office stated that an extension of the truce is possible with the release of additional hostages. In return, Hamas demands the release of 150 Palestinian women and children from Israeli jails, as part of the truce that also allows crucial aid into Gaza.

The U.S. President Joe Biden has welcomed the deal, emphasizing the importance of returning American hostages. The Qatar government confirmed the terms of the exchange and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza. The truce is set to begin within the next 24 hours, pending any legal challenges in Israel against the release of Palestinian prisoners.

This ceasefire is a pivotal moment in a conflict that has devastated Gaza, with Israeli bombardments killing 13,300 civilians and leaving about two-thirds of its 2.3 million people homeless. Netanyahu reaffirmed Israel's broader mission to destroy Hamas and ensure the nation's security, while Hamas, agreeing to the ceasefire, maintained its readiness to defend its people against Israeli forces.

The truce is fragile, with ongoing tensions in the region. The release of hostages, including three Americans, is expected to begin on Thursday, after a 24-hour window for legal appeals in Israel. This agreement, while a significant step towards peace, unfolds against a backdrop of continued violence and complexity in Israeli-Palestinian relations.