A four-day truce between Israel and Hamas is scheduled to commence on Friday morning. As part of this ceasefire, militants plan to release the first group of 13 Israeli women and child hostages later in the day. This marks the initial respite in a war that has caused significant devastation in the besieged Gaza enclave.
The truce is set to start at 7 a.m. (0500 GMT) and will encompass a comprehensive ceasefire in both north and south Gaza. Following this, there will be the release of some of the more than 200 hostages taken by Hamas during the Oct. 7 attack inside Israel, as reported by mediators in Qatar.
However, clashes persisted in the hours leading up to the ceasefire, with reports from officials within the Hamas-ruled enclave indicating that a hospital in Gaza City was among the targets hit during the bombings. Both sides have indicated that the pause is expected to be temporary, with the likelihood of the resumption of hostilities.
Aid Flow
Increased aid is scheduled to be delivered to Gaza, with the first batch of released hostages, including elderly women, expected at 4 p.m. (1400 GMT). Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, announced in Doha that the total number of freed hostages would reach 50 over the course of the four days.
Egypt has outlined plans to provide 130,000 liters of diesel and four trucks of gas daily to Gaza once the truce commences. Additionally, 200 trucks of aid are slated to enter Gaza every day.
The Qatari spokesperson informed reporters that Palestinians were anticipated to be released from Israeli jails. Expressing hope for the truce to pave the way for broader efforts, they stated, “We all hope that this truce will lead to a chance to start a wider work to achieve a permanent truce.” Hamas, on its Telegram channel, confirmed the cessation of all hostilities from its forces.
However, Abu Ubaida, the spokesperson for Hamas’ armed wing, later referred to it as a “temporary truce” in a video message, calling for an “escalation of the confrontation with (Israel) on all resistance fronts.” This includes the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where violence has surged since the Gaza war erupted almost seven weeks ago.
Complicated Days
The Israeli military announced that its troops would remain positioned behind a ceasefire line inside Gaza. However, specific details regarding their exact position were not provided.
“These upcoming days are expected to be intricate, and uncertainties prevail,” stated Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari.
He emphasized, “Gaining control over northern Gaza represents the initial phase of an extensive conflict, and we are gearing up for subsequent stages.” The prime minister’s office mentioned that Israel had received an initial list of hostages to be released and was in communication with the families.
Israel initiated its extensive invasion of Gaza in response to an incursion by Hamas gunmen on October 7, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of around 240 hostages, according to Israeli reports.
Subsequently, Israel has unleashed airstrikes on the small enclave, resulting in the death of approximately 14,000 Gazans, with around 40% of them being children, as reported by Palestinian health authorities.
Losing Hope
“People are fatigued and witnessing a diminishing faith in humanity,” remarked U.N. Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA’s Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini on Thursday. This statement followed his visit to Gaza, where he spoke of the “unspeakable suffering” in the enclave.
“They require a break; they deserve the opportunity to sleep without the constant worry of making it through the night. This should be the basic right for everyone.”
Leading up to the ceasefire, the conflict intensified even further on Thursday, with Israeli jets targeting over 300 locations, and heavy fighting occurring around the Jabalia refugee camp north of Gaza City.
An army spokesperson affirmed that operations would persist until the troops received the order to cease.
Amid relentless bombing, the Indonesian hospital in Gaza City was struggling, operating without light and crowded with elderly individuals and children, as conveyed by Gaza health officials.
International concern is heightened over the plight of hospitals, particularly in the northern half of Gaza, where all medical facilities have ceased operations, leaving patients, staff, and displaced individuals trapped inside.
Israel contends that Hamas fighters use residential and other civilian buildings, including hospitals, as cover—a claim that Hamas denies.
