Gaza/Jerusalem: The highly anticipated release of hostages under the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas in Gaza is now set to commence no earlier than Friday, as stated by Israel’s national security adviser. The ceasefire, initially agreed upon early Wednesday for at least four days, aims to facilitate aid entry and secure the release of at least 50 hostages held by militants in the Palestinian enclave in exchange for a minimum of 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel.
The delay in the ceasefire’s commencement, initially slated for Thursday morning, is attributed to the agreement not being signed by Hamas and mediator Qatar. Despite this, Israeli officials remain optimistic about its eventual implementation. The agreement, hailed globally as a significant step towards easing civilian suffering in Gaza and repatriating Israeli captives, could be extended if more hostages are freed, with a possibility of up to 100 hostages being released by the end of the month.
In a tragic backdrop, since Hamas’ attack on October 7, Israel has subjected Gaza to intense bombardment, resulting in the death of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and over 14,000 casualties in Gaza, around 40% being children. Under the ceasefire agreement, the initial 50 hostages, comprising women and children, will be released over four days at a rate of at least 10 per day. The Red Cross is also expected to visit any remaining hostages in Gaza.
The broader conflict continues, with both Israel and Hamas affirming their commitment to their respective missions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We are winning, and we will continue to fight until a complete victory,” while Hamas reiterated its readiness to defend and defeat the occupation.