Israel has permitted a four-day ceasefire in Gaza and agreed to a Qatari-mediated deal with Hamas for the release of 50 prisoners in the besieged area. Hamas has confirmed the temporary ceasefire, stating that under the agreement, 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons will also be released.
While the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the ceasefire does not mean an end to the fighting; the Israeli military is determined to exert pressure after a pause in the fighting.
On the other hand, Hamas stated in a statement regarding the ceasefire agreement: “The terms of this agreement have been determined according to the principles of resistance and determination, with the aim of serving our people and boosting their morale in the face of aggression.” Since October 7, 2023, more than 1,4000 Palestinians have lost their lives in Gaza.
The Arab foreign ministers, welcoming the temporary ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, and emphasized the need for its expansion and the first step towards a complete cessation of hostilities. The foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Jordan said in a media briefing that the outcome of these agreements, including the release of prisoners and increased aid to the devastated Gaza Strip, should ultimately lead to negotiations for a lasting two-state solution.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud remarked that humanitarian aid should continue, be expanded, and not be linked to further releases of prisoners. He stated that the results of this agreement should lead to sustained increases in humanitarian access and should not be tied to further releases of prisoners. Russia has also welcomed the temporary peace truce
American President Joe Biden has expressed contentment over the agreement for the release of prisoners between Israel and Hamas with the assistance of Middle Eastern countries.
He also welcomed the “cessation” in the fighting in Gaza for the provision of humanitarian aid by Israel and expressed appreciation for the leaders of Qatar and Egypt for their constructive roles in the agreement.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has said that he may soon visit Egypt to discuss measures for the easing of The Palestinian Ministry of Health restrictions on patients from Gaza and other initiatives. Speaking to journalists on his return from Algeria, Erdoğan emphasized the importance of the Islamic world working together with unity and solidarity on the issue of Gaza.
In a targeted drone attack by Israel on the Tulkarm camp in the occupied West Bank, six Palestinians lost their lives. On the other hand, in the city of Qalqilya, Israeli forces killed another Palestinian. This incident adds to the seven Palestinians who lost their lives in Israeli attacks in the occupied West Bank on the same day.
A senior US official announced that there is a possibility of the release of three American citizens including two women and one girl in the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, which includes the release of 50 prisoners.
Two buses, carrying numerous wounded and homeless individuals from the northern part of the Gaza Strip, have arrived at the Al-Nasser Medical Complex in Gaza from an Indonesian hospital.
