Jerusalem – Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day cease-fire in the war in Gaza, with hopes that it will lead to an eventual end to the conflict. The truce, which was announced by the Persian Gulf nation of Qatar, will facilitate the release of dozens of hostages held by militants as well as Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. It will also bring a large influx of aid to the besieged territory.
The cease-fire will take effect on Thursday at 10 a.m. local time. Both sides have agreed to release women and children first, with a total of 50 hostages being freed in stages in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel will resume the war after the truce and continue fighting until all their goals are achieved, including the destruction of Hamas’ fighting and governing abilities and the return of all hostages.
Despite the announcement of the cease-fire, fighting in Gaza City intensified overnight, with gunfire, heavy artillery, and airstrikes reported in central neighborhoods. Palestinian militants also continued to fire rockets at Israel throughout the day.
The release of hostages will force Israel to rein in its offensive and could ultimately mean an end to the war without achieving its goal of crushing Hamas. The devastation caused by the conflict has already drawn international criticism of Israel, and the U.S. has expressed concern about the heavy toll on Gaza’s civilians.
The war, which began in early October, has resulted in the deaths of over 11,000 Palestinians, according to the Health Ministry in Gaza. Over 1.7 million Palestinians have been displaced, and the territory is facing severe shortages of food, medicine, and other essentials.
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While the return of hostages may lift spirits in Israel, it could also create division among families as some hostages are freed while others remain captive. The deal also provides an opportunity for Hamas to regroup and rebuild after suffering heavy losses.
The cease-fire is seen as a diplomatic breakthrough, and there are hopes that it will eventually lead to a permanent resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
