Israel, Gaza Resistance Agree on Temporary Ceasefire Deal
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Israel and Gaza have reached a temporary ceasefire agreement, facilitating the release of approximately 50 settlers held captive since October 7, in exchange for Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.
The Israeli regime's cabinet endorsed the deal following extensive discussions mediated by Qatar, culminating in the early hours of Wednesday. Reports from Israeli media outlined heated debates among members of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s regime.
Ultimately, only three out of the 38 cabinet members opposed the truce – the Israeli security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two others from his far-right political party.
Israel's prime minister's office confirmed the agreement stipulating that Palestinian resistance fighters would release at least 50 women and children during a four-day truce. It further stated that for every additional 10 hostages released, the ceasefire duration would be extended by a day. However, the release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange was not specified.
"Israel’s government is committed to returning all hostages home. Tonight, it approved the proposed deal as the initial step toward this objective," the prime minister’s office stated briefly.
Hamas confirmed the release of 50 women and children from Gaza in exchange for Israel freeing 150 Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli jails.
The terms also include a cessation of all Israeli military actions in Gaza and the allowance of hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian, medical, and fuel aid into the territory.
This ceasefire marks the first in a war that has devastated vast areas of Gaza, home to approximately 2.3 million people. Palestinian officials report a death toll of at least 14,100 individuals, while the United Nations indicates that around 1.7 million people have been forced from their homes.
Representatives from Qatar, the United States, the Israeli regime, and Gaza had hinted at an imminent deal for several days.
Qatar later confirmed the success of the mediation efforts, emphasizing the commencement of the pause within the next 24 hours, lasting four days initially, subject to extension. The statement also verified the dispatch of humanitarian aid to Gaza and the release of 50 captive women and children in exchange for Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons, with the potential for further releases.
Some analysts highlighted the need for international pressure during the ceasefire to secure a permanent end to the conflict, emphasizing the importance of aid, fuel, and medical supplies to Gaza during this respite.