Attention is focused today, Friday, on the commencement of the first truce in the Gaza war that began 49 days ago between Israel and Hamas. The truce lasts for four days and includes the exchange of prisoners and detainees. Meanwhile, discussions have started regarding the future of the Gaza Strip after the truce ends, as Israel announced that it will continue the war, while several sources mentioned the possibility of extending the truce for longer periods that could reach up to 10 days. Concerns persist about the failure of the first truce and a possible retraction if one of the parties is accused of violating the truce agreement, details of which remain unannounced.
The deal includes the release of 50 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, most of them women and children under the age of 19. The first batch of those released consists of 13 women and children from different families. Hamas stated in a press release yesterday that the four-day truce "is accompanied by a halt to all military operations" from both sides, adding that for each released Israeli prisoner, three Palestinian prisoners will be freed.
Hamas requested that freedom of movement for individuals be allowed throughout the duration of the truce, that the Israeli air force suspend flights over the Gaza Strip, and that an increasing number of humanitarian convoys and fuel supplies be permitted to enter the besieged territory. Hamas declared that 200 trucks of relief and medical supplies will be delivered daily across all areas of the Gaza Strip, in addition to four trucks of fuel and cooking gas each day.
Israel published a list of 300 Palestinian prisoners likely to be released, including 33 women and 123 prisoners under the age of 18. Among those listed in the published list on the Israeli Ministry of Justice's website are 49 associated with Hamas, 60 affiliated with the Fatah movement led by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, 17 from the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and 28 from the Islamic Jihad movement.
