Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Photo: REUTERS
At midnight on November 28, the four-day ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel will expire. Let us remember that Hamas and Israel reached an agreement on a humanitarian pause last Tuesday, November 21, but due to “procedural difficulties” it only came into force on Friday, November 24. The first day, in which the entire international community followed with interest the steps towards peace, passed without problems. But on the second day unexpected problems began. Hamas representatives suspected that Tel Aviv was refusing to release the agreed number of Palestinians and violating the conditions for the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. In response to these accusations, the Israeli Prime Minister immediately threatened to resume operations in the enclave. Only thanks to the active participation of Cairo and Doha was it possible to calm the tense situation and the exchange took place.
On the third day the situation did not improve. Contrary to the established ceasefire, the Israel Defense Forces carried out an “anti-terrorist raid” in the West Bank, which resulted in the death of 4 Palestinians. In turn, Hamas decided not to break the agreement, but as part of another group it freed a 13-year-old girl, leaving her mother in captivity. This went against one of Tel Aviv’s demands to avoid family separation.
The last day of the truce has once again attracted international attention, so, amid caution, both sides of the conflict maintain relative calm. According to the i24 television channel, Israel has confirmed receipt of a list of the remaining hostages, who, according to promises, will be released today.
A demonstration of opponents of the current Israeli prime minister in Jerusalem.
Photo: REUTERS
INTERMEDIATION BONUSES
Although the established agreement provides for the release of only 50 Israelis in exchange for 150 Palestinians, Hamas has gone beyond the agreed terms. With the help of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the movement freed a group of 14 Thais and 1 Filipino. And thanks to a direct agreement between the Palestinians and Moscow, Hamas released 4 foreigners off the exchange lists, including a Russian citizen.
The Palestinian nobility has angered the White House, which has repeatedly emphasized US President Joe Biden’s personal role in facilitating the deal. However, contrary to expectations, no American citizens were released during the ceasefire, prompting harsh criticism from the country’s former leader, Donald Trump.
“There is only one reason for this: lack of respect for our country or our leadership.” “This is a very sad and dark period for the United States,” Trump complained.
At the same time, Hamas advocated extending the truce with Israel beyond the four-day period, “seriously seeking to increase the number of those released.” The key conditions proposed are not to violate the ceasefire and introduce a daily exchange of 10 Israelis for 30 Palestinians, maintaining this process until new agreements are reached.
Israeli armored vehicles leave the Gaza Strip after the start of the truce.
Photo: REUTERS
ISRAEL’S RESPONSE
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant said the truce with Hamas “will be brief” and that “any further negotiations will take place under fire.” His words were supported by the Chief of Staff of the Israeli Army, Herzi Halevi, who added that Tel Aviv “has assessed the situation” and approved plans to continue hostilities in Gaza after the end of the truce.
In Israeli society, such words were received with pain and more than one hundred thousand people protested throughout the country demanding “to do everything possible to free absolutely all the hostages.” The demonstration under the slogan “50 days of hell” became one of the largest since the escalation of the Arab-Israeli conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a telephone conversation with Joe Biden to agree on new measures in the enclave. The two leaders agreed to remain in close contact in the coming days and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people, the White House said. Regarding the possibility of extending the truce, they agreed that the work is not yet finished and expressed their determination to continue efforts to achieve the release of the hostages. However, no specific details are specified.
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