Israel says truce, captives release will not start ‘before Friday’: Analysis

The start of the temporary truce and the release of captives taken by Hamas in their attack on Israel will not occur before Friday. Israeli forces are continuing to bomb Gaza while awaiting the start of the release. The agreement between Israel and Hamas, which was expected to last four days, also includes the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. The release of captives is part of an exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli jails.

According to Israeli National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi, negotiations for the release of the hostages are ongoing and advancing. The release will follow the original agreement between the two sides, starting on Friday. The agreement had a 24-hour delay because it had not been signed by Hamas and Qatar, the key mediator. However, Israeli officials are optimistic that the agreement will be carried out once it is signed.

Israeli media, quoting anonymous officials, reported that the pause in fighting with Hamas will not start before Friday.

More than 14,500 people have been killed in Gaza since Israel began its attacks on the territory, in response to Hamas’s assault on Israel. About 240 people were taken captive by Hamas, and only four have been released so far. The number of Palestinians in Israeli prisons has doubled since October 7, according to Palestinian authorities.

Israeli aircraft and artillery have continued to strike Gaza’s southern city of Khan Younis. In Israel, sirens warning of rocket fire from Gaza have sounded, but there have been no reports of damage or injuries.

Tensions have also risen on Israel’s northern border after Hezbollah announced that five of its fighters, including the son of a senior lawmaker, had been killed.

The delay in the truce agreement has caused frustration among families on both sides. Under the agreement, 50 Hamas captives are supposed to be released, with a minimum of 10 being freed each day. The identities of those scheduled for release are announced in the evening for the next day.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office has stated that the truce could be extended if an additional 10 hostages are freed each day.

Among the eligible Palestinian prisoners is Shorouq Dwayyat, who is serving a 16-year sentence for attempted murder. Campaigners argue that she, along with many other Palestinians, has been unjustly tried and sentenced on unfair or fabricated charges.

The US is also hopeful that aid will begin reaching Gaza in large quantities in the coming days.

Hamas has stated that the initial 50 captives will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israel. Additionally, humanitarian, medical, and fuel supplies will enter Gaza, and Israel will halt air sorties over southern Gaza and maintain a daily six-hour daytime no-fly window in the north.

The truce agreement, mediated by Qatar, is the first in a nearly seven-week-long war. Governments around the world view it as potentially easing the suffering in the Gaza Strip, home to over two million people.

The National Security Council spokesperson has emphasized that the deal has been agreed upon and is still in effect. The parties are working on final logistical details, particularly for the first day of implementation, and remain hopeful that implementation will begin on Friday morning.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/23/israel-says-truce-captives-release-will-not-start-before-friday