"Hostage Exchange Continues: 11 Israelis Freed by Hamas in Cease-fire Extension Deal"
In a significant development, Hamas released another 11 Israeli hostages in exchange for 33 Palestinian prisoners on Monday, marking an extension of the temporary cease-fire agreement between the two parties. An elite unit of the Israeli military and domestic security service is currently escorting the freed hostages, who were all abducted from the Nir Oz kibbutz community near the Gaza border during Hamas' October 7 attack. The attack resulted in around 240 hostages and approximately 1,200 casualties, according to Israel.
Among those released, some hold dual French, German, and Argentinian citizenship. The captives being freed include mothers and children as young as 3 years old, all with fathers still held in Gaza. While the release brings relief to the community, concerns persist for the loved ones still in captivity.
Osnat Peri, the head of the kibbutz, emphasized the ongoing demand for the return of all hostages, expressing deep concern for the 49 individuals from Nir Oz still held, encompassing women, men, children, mothers, fathers, grandfathers, and grandmothers. As part of the reciprocal deal, Israel later released Palestinian prisoners, including 30 minors and three women, in Ramallah.
The total number of hostages released now stands at 50 Israelis and 19 individuals of other nationalities. Israel continues to release three prisoners for every Israeli freed, with the expectation of reaching a total of 150 by the conclusion of Monday night's exchange. The extension of the cease-fire deal opens the possibility for the release of more captives and increased humanitarian aid flowing into the besieged Gaza Strip."
"Cease-fire Extended: Qatar, Egypt, and U.S. Facilitate Prolongation of Truce in Gaza
Hours before Hamas released the fourth batch of captives, Qatar's foreign ministry announced the extension of the truce. Qatar, along with Egypt and the U.S., has played a crucial role in negotiating the temporary cease-fire. Hamas confirmed the agreement for another two days, maintaining the same conditions as the previous truce.
While Israel did not immediately comment on the cease-fire extension, it had previously expressed willingness to continue the arrangement for up to 10 days if Hamas continued releasing captives at a rate of 10 per day. The extension follows the seizure of around 240 captives by Hamas in last month's attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties.
U.S. President Biden expressed gratitude to Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar, and President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of Egypt for their efforts in extending the humanitarian pause in Gaza. Biden emphasized the commitment to continue working until all hostages held by Hamas terrorists are released.
The extension comes on the originally scheduled last day of the hostages-for-prisoners swaps. Following the exchange of another 17 hostages on Sunday night, signs of prolonging the timeframe emerged. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasized that the onus is on Hamas to provide an additional 10 hostages per day, subject to agreement with Israel.
Israel has vowed to resume its goal of dismantling Hamas if the truce is broken or expires. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant affirmed the commitment to return to fighting with equal or greater strength.
Among those released are 17 Thai laborers seized in the October 7 Hamas attack, one Filipino, and a dual Israeli-Russian citizen freed on Sunday, attributed to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and appreciation for Russia's support of the Palestinian cause."
"In the span of seven weeks, the conflict in Gaza has resulted in a tragic toll, with over 13,300 Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes and ground assaults, according to Palestinian health officials. The majority of the casualties are reported to be women and youth, although the figures provided by the health ministry in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip do not distinguish between civilians and militants.
As part of the ongoing exchange between Israel and Hamas, for every hostage released by Hamas, Israel has been releasing three Palestinian prisoners from its jails. This process has sparked a complex dynamic in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, where signs of heightened anger over the Gaza war and expressions of elation at the release of jailed Palestinians are contributing to an increase in Hamas' popularity.
Residents in the West Bank, such as Dana Hafi from the Qalandiya refugee camp in Ramallah, voiced a sense of desperation, with some viewing Hamas as the last entity fighting for Palestinian rights. Concerns about the potential consequences of crushing Hamas were highlighted, with individuals expressing fears that such actions could adversely affect all Palestinians.
While there is a shared desire for peace and the opportunity for children to live, grow, and pursue education and careers, the deep-rooted issues, including evictions and displacement, add complexity to the situation. The sentiments on the ground reflect the multifaceted nature of the conflict, with both Israeli and Palestinian communities grappling with the consequences of the ongoing hostilities."
"Hostages' ordeals continue to unfold as Elma Avraham, 84, released by Hamas on Sunday, faces a life-threatening medical condition and remains in intensive care. Reports from other freed hostages indicate weight loss during the 50 days in captivity, with survival mainly on a diet of bread and rice. Many endured sleeping on rows of chairs, and some were held underground.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs notes that the temporary cease-fire has been largely maintained, allowing for enhanced assistance delivery into Gaza. Aid trucks and humanitarian supplies have increased, including crucial items like fuel and cooking gas. However, there's a plea for the transformation of the pause into a longer-term humanitarian cease-fire.
Describing Israel's military campaign in Gaza before the pause, OCHA expressed the desperate situation, stating that nearly 80% of the territory's 2.2 million people have been internally displaced in the seven weeks of fighting. Israel's military operations have focused on the northern part of Gaza, with warnings for Gazans to move south to avoid harm.
Despite these efforts, the ongoing humanitarian challenges and the plea for a sustained cease-fire underscore the urgent need for resolution and relief in the region."
"The humanitarian crisis in Gaza intensifies as overcrowded and poorly-sanitized shelters administered by UNRWA contribute to significant increases in communicable diseases. Conditions such as diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, skin infections, and hygiene-related issues like lice have surged amid the ongoing conflict. The Gaza Strip faces an electricity blackout, further exacerbated by depleted fuel reserves in the sole power plant. While potable water supply to Gaza's south has continued, the region grapples with soaring market prices, with vegetables up 32%, wheat and flour up 65%, and the price of mineral water doubling since the conflict's onset. The dire situation underscores the urgent need for sustained relief efforts and a lasting resolution to the conflict."
"In conclusion, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens, with overcrowded and unsanitary conditions in UNRWA-administered shelters leading to a surge in communicable diseases. The electricity blackout, depleted fuel reserves, and escalating market prices for essential goods compound the challenges faced by the population. As the conflict persists, urgent and sustained relief efforts are crucial to address the immediate needs of the people and pave the way for a lasting resolution to the crisis in Gaza."