A ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas has led to the release of three Israeli hostages in good health. This development follows a 42-day ceasefire that aims to halt a prolonged conflict in Gaza. Despite some delays and ongoing violence prior to the ceasefire, the agreement allows for humanitarian aid to flow into Gaza. However, it faces opposition within Israel’s government. The conflict has resulted in significant casualties on both sides, severely impacting Gaza’s infrastructure.
Ceasefire Agreement Brings Hope in Gaza
JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) – In a significant development, the first three Israeli hostages held by Hamas have been released to the Red Cross and are reported to be in good health. This news emerged after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas took effect, temporarily halting a conflict that has persisted for over 15 months.
Live coverage showed three female hostages exiting a vehicle, escorted by armed Hamas personnel, before entering a car from the International Committee of the Red Cross. An Israeli official confirmed to Reuters that these women are in stable condition. The released hostages have been identified as Romi Gonen, Doron Steinbrecher, and Emily Damari, as per a list released by Hamas.
Details of the Ceasefire
The ceasefire officially began at 9:15 GMT, although accusations arose from Israel that Hamas delayed the implementation by taking time to publish the list of hostages being released. Hamas attributed the delay to ‘technical’ issues without elaboration.
A Palestinian official, requesting anonymity, suggested that the ongoing Israeli air and ground bombardments complicated the situation, making it challenging to send the list of hostages to mediators. Reports indicated that airstrikes and artillery fire continued in northern Gaza even after the ceasefire was initially set to start, resulting in at least 13 Palestinian deaths and numerous injuries prior to the ceasefire taking effect.
This long-anticipated 42-day ceasefire could potentially signal the conclusion of the conflict in Gaza, which has ignited broader tensions across the Middle East, involving Israel and its allies against Iran and affiliated militant groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The agreement, brokered in Qatar, outlines an initial phase that includes a six-week ceasefire and the release of 33 out of 98 hostages taken during the October 7 attacks, in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners being freed by Israel.
Among the 33 hostages released in this first phase are two French citizens, Ofer Kalderon and Ohad Yahalomi. French President Emmanuel Macron reassured their families that all necessary state resources have been mobilized for their release since the conflict began.
As the ceasefire commenced, thousands of Palestinians filled the streets of Gaza, some celebrating the agreement, others visiting the graves of lost loved ones, and many anxious to discover the fate of their homes. Meanwhile, long lines of trucks carrying fuel and humanitarian aid formed at border crossings, with the World Food Programme beginning to deliver aid on Sunday, as stipulated in the ceasefire agreement allowing for 600 aid trucks to enter Gaza daily during the initial six weeks.
Despite the optimism surrounding the ceasefire, it has faced internal opposition within Israel. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other ministers from his party resigned from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government in response to the agreement. The Otzma Yehudit party has expressed its desire to exit the ruling coalition but does not aim to topple Netanyahu’s government. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has also threatened to withdraw from the coalition if the war against Hamas ends.
The conflict ignited when Hamas launched attacks on southern Israeli cities on October 7, 2023, claiming approximately 1,200 lives and taking around 250 hostages. Since then, many have been either released or killed. The Israeli military response has resulted in nearly 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to health officials in Gaza, with a significant number being women and children, as reported by the United Nations human rights office. The extensive bombardments have devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, leaving nearly all of its 2.3 million residents homeless.