A proposed four-day cease-fire deal between Israel and Hamas has encountered a last-minute setback. Israeli officials announced that the truce would not begin until Friday, a day later than initially planned.
The agreement includes a four-day cease-fire in war-torn Gaza and the release of at least 50 hostages by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. Israeli officials have stated that the truce could be extended beyond four days if militants continue to release at least 10 hostages per day.
Qatar has also stated that Israel will allow more fuel and humanitarian aid into Gaza, although specific details have not been provided. Hamas has claimed that the deal includes the entry of hundreds of trucks carrying aid and fuel into Gaza daily, including the northern region, where Israel has been conducting a ground offensive.
However, Israeli Channel 12 TV has reported that the agreement will allow for a "significant" amount of fuel and humanitarian supplies, without specifying the exact quantities.
Earlier, Israel, Hamas, and Qatar released various details about the agreement that do not appear to contradict one another, according to the Associated Press.
Despite the hopes of families seeking respite from the bombings and violence, the deal was delayed by an additional day on Thursday.
On October 7, Hamas and other Palestinian gunmen seized around 240 hostages during an unprecedented attack on Israel. In response, Israel launched relentless airstrikes and a ground offensive in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of over 14,000 people, including thousands of children.
Why was the Israel-Hamas deal delayed?- A Palestinian official familiar with the negotiation process informed AFP that the delay was due to last-minute issues regarding which hostages would be released and how. Lists of individuals to be freed were reportedly exchanged between both sides.
There were also questions about Red Cross access to the hostages prior to their release into Egypt, the official said.
An Israeli official speaking to AFP on Thursday attributed the delay to "additional demands by Hamas," without providing specific details.
Majed al-Ansari, a spokesman for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, stated that negotiators were still working to establish the appropriate conditions for the cease-fire and hostage swap.
When will the Hamas-Israel deal take effect? -Qatar announced on Thursday that a new timeframe for the agreement to begin would be announced "in the coming hours."
What does the Hamas-Israel deal signify? -The deal represents a temporary break in hostilities between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Reports suggest that a significant number of hostages, including men, women, the elderly, and foreign nationals, are likely to remain in Hamas captivity.
Additionally, hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals who fled Gaza and moved south are not expected to be able to return home. Meanwhile, Israeli troops are expected to maintain their positions in northern Gaza.
Does the Hamas-Israel truce mark the end of the war? -
Both sides have indicated that they will resume fighting once the truce concludes. Israel has vowed to dismantle Hamas and is anticipated to continue its efforts once the four-day period is over.
"We are not ending the war. We will continue until we are victorious," Lieutenant-General Herzi Halevi, chief of the Israeli general staff, stated in a video released by the military on Thursday.
The temporary cease-fire is likely to provide Hamas with an opportunity to strategize, reposition militant forces, and potentially regroup, as per reports.
Israel and Hamas Agree Deal to Pause Fighting, Set to Free at Least 50 Hostages
