Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen expects to receive the first released Hamas hostages on Thursday. In total, at least fifty kidnapped women and children will be released in four days. On these days the fighting should stop.
As reported, the Israeli government agreed to an agreement with Hamas on Wednesday evening that would lead to the release of 50 hostages. In return, Palestinian prisoners must be released and a ceasefire observed. More details will gradually become known on Wednesday. One concerns the Palestinian prisoners. This mainly concerns young men up to the age of 18 who were imprisoned mainly for riots and throwing stones.
However, the Palestinian side wants to release kidnapped women and children. Up to 300 Palestinian prisoners will be exchanged for up to 100 living hostages from Israel. Earlier there were reports of 50 hostages and 150 prisoners. The exchange should be carried out in four to ten days. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen expects to receive the first released Hamas hostages in his country on Thursday. He did not confirm a report from 5 a.m. local time on Thursday morning.
Both sides want to continue fighting
The agreement was reached through mediation by the governments of Qatar and Egypt. Both the Israeli side and Hamas have already stressed that they want to resume fighting after the four-day ceasefire (see video above). Hamas, for example, affirmed “that our fingers will remain on the trigger and that our (…) battalions will continue to lie in wait.”
However, Arab foreign ministers are calling for an extension of the limited ceasefire. A comprehensive ceasefire is needed, representatives of Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan said. The two-state solution will need to be renegotiated in the future. This plan, which is also supported by many Western politicians, envisions a separate state of Palestine in addition to Israel.
Here you see a response from Annalena Baerbock.
Baerbock: Use the break to help
On the occasion of the agreement, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock spoke of a “breakthrough” for the hostages, “even if nothing in the world can undo their suffering. The humanitarian pause must be used to provide essential aid to the people of Gaza,” the politician wrote on Platform X.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
