Hamas release 100 hostages in Gaza
On November 30, 2023, a helicopter carrying Israeli hostages landed at the Sheba Medical Centre during a temporary truce announced by Egypt’s State Information Service. The truce was mediated by teams from Egypt and Qatar willing to extend the two day extension in an effort to discuss further humanitarian aid terms between Israel and Hamas. This news was timely as it occurred while US Secretary Antony Blinken visited Israel, marking his third visit and during a shooting by Palestinian gunmen that killed three individuals in Jerusalem.
Extending the cease-fire
After much speculation, Israel and Hamas agreed to extend the cease-fire for an extra 24 hours, right before its deadline. The seven-day-old truce has seen the release of almost 100 hostages, the majority being Israelis and foreign nationals by Hamas, and the release of 210 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. As per the terms of the agreement, three Palestinian prisoners are to be exchanged for every Israeli hostage. The extension of the truce was in line with mediators’ efforts to continue the hostage release process.
Israeli-American home now
On Wednesday, U.S. President Joe Biden confirmed that an Israeli-American national has been released as one of the hostages. Qatar, which has been mediating the deal and is also home to Hamas’ political division since 2012, noted the continuation of humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza.
Antony Blinken’s meeting
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken met with Israel’s prime minister and Palestinian authority president and emphasized the need to protect civilians in Gaza. He expressed hope that the positive trend of the released hostages would continue alongside an increase in humanitarian support to those who suffered in Gaza.
Calls for the war in Gaza to continue
Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu stressed that the war against Hamas would continue after the truce, stating that no other way but eliminating Hamas, the organization responsible for a series of terrorist attacks. This war has been labeled the bloodiest in the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, killing over 14,500 people in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
Violent attacks in Jerusalem
The visit by Blinken to Israel coincided with a violent attack by two Palestinian men in Jerusalem that killed at least three people. Israeli forces investigated the area and Palestinian authorities noted that Israeli forces killed two Palestinian children during a raid in the West Bank city of Jenin. Israel’s military has classified the two killed as militants, while Palestinian authorities claim that Israel’s military forces and settlers have killed 242 Palestinians in the West Bank.
The war has created a sense of strife and tension in the area, with Israel employing military action for defense against repeated terrorist attacks by Hamas. As a result, hope is maintained by the release of hostages and renewed interest in persevering to secure peace within the region.
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