Israel, Hamas Reach Breakthrough Deal To Release 50 Hostages

Ramallah-based political analyst says Israel will pay an exorbitant price for the hostages’ release, which “shows that the resistance is still capable of imposing its demands”

In the first major diplomatic breakthrough in the war between Israel and Hamas, the two sides announced a deal on Wednesday, which allows at least 50 hostages and 150 Palestinian prisoners to be freed while offering besieged Gazan residents a four-day truce after an extensive period of all-out war.

Following weeks of Qatar-brokered negotiations, and despite staunch opposition from far-right Israeli government ministers, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet approved the truce early Wednesday. This came after six long, grueling hours of heated exchanges and debates, during which Netanyahu reportedly told ministers that this was a “difficult decision but it’s a right decision.”

A US official described the last five weeks of talks as “extremely excruciating.”

Meanwhile, Hamas announced reaching the four-day humanitarian pause with Israel after “difficult and complex negotiations for long days … with diligent and appreciated Qatari and Egyptian efforts.”

According to the agreement, there will be a cease-fire by both parties, a cessation of all military actions by the occupation army in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and a halt to the movement of its military vehicles penetrating into the Gaza Strip

“According to the agreement, there will be a cease-fire by both parties, a cessation of all military actions by the occupation army in all areas of the Gaza Strip, and a halt to the movement of its military vehicles penetrating into the Gaza Strip,” Hamas said in a statement.

Hundreds of trucks carrying fuel and humanitarian and medical aid will be allowed into all areas of the Gaza Strip, without exception, in the north and south, according to Hamas.

The agreement includes “the release of 50 women and children of the occupation, detainees under the age of 19 years, in exchange for the release of 150 women and children of our people from the occupation prisons under the age of 19 years, all according to seniority,” the Hamas statement said.

Esmat Mansour, a Ramallah-based political analyst, told The Media Line that Israel will pay an exorbitant price for the hostages’ release and that the deal “shows that the resistance is still capable of imposing its demands.”

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday welcomed the humanitarian pause deal in the Gaza Strip.

“President Abbas and the leadership welcome the humanitarian truce agreement,” Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s Executive Committee, said in a statement.

“We appreciate the Qatari-Egyptian effort that has been made, and we renew the call for a comprehensive cessation of the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, the introduction of humanitarian aid, and the implementation of a political solution based on international legitimacy, leading to an end to the occupation and the Palestinian people gaining their freedom, independence, and sovereignty,” he added.

Jubilant Palestinian families are currently waiting to see the names of their mothers, sisters, daughters, and sons on an approved list of about-to-be-released Palestinian prisoners who are currently in Israeli jails.

“We are cautiously optimistic that Yazan’s name will be on the list; it’s been a long five years, and it’s time he’s freed,” the mother of one 18-year-old Palestinian prisoner from the West Bank told The Media Line. Yazan is currently serving an eight-year sentence for attempting to stab an Israeli settler in the West Bank.

Since the war began on Oct. 7, Netanyahu continually made his position abundantly clear: No cease-fire would be agreed upon until all hostages were freed. However, under pressure from the hostages’ relatives as well as growing international pressure, the veteran politician caved in, according to Palestinian public opinion.

“The partial prisoner exchange deal breaks several Israeli ‘noes,’ including: no deal, no truce, no fuel, no negotiation … and consolidates the position of the resistance as carrying the humanitarian demands of the Palestinian people par excellence, which is the liberation of male and female prisoners,” Ramallah-based political analyst Nihad Abu Ghosh told The Media Line.

“This exchange also opens the way for a comprehensive deal to ‘whitewash’ the prisons,” he added.

Jordan on Wednesday also welcomed a humanitarian pause deal in the Gaza Strip, voicing hope that the agreement will be a step towards ending the conflict in the blockaded enclave.

In a statement, Jordan’s Foreign Ministry hailed efforts exerted by Qatar, Egypt, and the US to reach the agreement.

“We hope this step will lead to end the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and stop the escalation, the targeting of Palestinians, and their forced displacement,” the statement said.

“The pause will secure sufficient humanitarian aid for all areas of the Gaza Strip to meet the needs of the population, achieve stability, and ensure that Gazans will remain in their homes,” it added.

Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also hailed the success Wednesday of the mediation it conducted alongside Qatar and the US in brokering a “humanitarian truce” in the Gaza Strip.

El-Sisi welcomed the planned “exchange of hostages for prisoners” held in Israeli jails, his office said.