2023-11-22 06:39:50
Update
November 22, 2023
07:39
Netanyahu’s government gave the green light overnight to the agreement to release hostages during a four-day ceasefire.
The Israeli government approved, Wednesday night, a partial agreement to release the hostages, concluded with the terrorist group Hamas following mediation led by Qatar. Fifty hostages will be released in exchange fora four-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the liberation of 150 Palestinian prisonersmainly women and minors. Nearly 200 hostages will still remain in Gaza.
“The start of the break will be announced within 24 hours and will last 4 days, this duration may be extended.”
The green light from the Israeli government required intense discussions between the majority parties. The far right, represented by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Security Minister Itmar Ben Gvir, opposed the agreement. The ultra-Orthodox parties approved it.
30 children and 20 women
“The start of the break will be announced within 24 hours and will last 4 days, this duration may be extended,” announced the Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release. “It includes the release of 50 hostages, women and children, held in Gaza“The names of the hostages will be revealed day following day, as they are released in small groups of around ten.
The agreement concerns 30 children and 20 women, according to an Israeli source. There is a possibility that 30 additional hostages be released if the break extends beyond four days.
The ceasefire also provides for “the entry ofa large number of humanitarian convoys and aid” in the Gaza Strip, the statement said.
©AFP
“We made a difficult decision last night, but it is a correct decision,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said. The deal was also approved by the Israeli military and intelligence and security services, the Shin Bet and Mossad.
Washington intervened to facilitate negotiations. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken “welcomed” the deal. “I cannot imagine the ordeal each of these people have endured over the past few weeks, and I am grateful that they will soon be reunited with their loved ones,” he said in a press release.
48 hour deadline
According to our information, ceasefire might take effect Friday.
“The Supreme Court has 48 hours to possibly oppose the release of Palestinian prisoners.”
“The Supreme Court has 48 hours to possibly oppose the release of Palestinian prisoners, if a family of the victims requests it,” Israeli lawyer Dori Klagsbald, former defendant of Benjamin Netanyahu, told us. “Such an action should not be brought,” he said. Israeli authorities have ensured that no Palestinian prisoner “with blood on their hands” will be released.
Hostages might be exchanged at the Rafah border post, according to an Israeli source. They will be directed to six hospitals ready to welcome them.
During the break, the Israeli army agreed to suspend its aerial surveillance by balloons and drones over Gaza for six hours.
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