Qatar announces successful agreement for four-day ceasefire in Gaza
Qatar announced the success of its mediation efforts — jointly undertaken with Egypt and the USA — between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), resulting in an agreement for a humanitarian pause.
While the starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours, the ceasefire will last for four days, subject to extension.
The State of Qatar announces that a humanitarian pause has been agreed in Gaza#MOFAQatar pic.twitter.com/5qqjSjvt4X
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Qatar (@MofaQatar_EN) November 22, 2023
The agreement includes the release of 50 civilian women and children hostages currently held in the Gaza Strip in exchange for the release of a number of Palestinian women and children detained in Israeli prisons.
The number of those released will be increased in later stages of implementing the agreement. The humanitarian pause will also allow the entry of a larger number of humanitarian convoys and relief aid, including fuel designated for humanitarian needs.
Qatar affirms its commitment to ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, stop the bloodshed, and protect civilians.
In this regard, Qatar appreciates the efforts of Egypt and the USA in reaching this agreement.
We thank our partners who contributed to reaching the humanitarian pause agreement in Gaza, particularly the U.S. & Egypt. We hope that it will establish a comprehensive & sustainable agreement that will put an end to the war & the bloodshed, & lead to serious talks for a…
— محمد بن عبدالرحمن (@MBA_AlThani_) November 22, 2023
Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani thanked everyone who helped broker the humanitarian ceasefire.
“We thank our partners who contributed to reaching the humanitarian pause agreement in Gaza, particularly the US & Egypt. We hope that it will establish a comprehensive & sustainable agreement that will put an end to the war & the bloodshed, & lead to serious talks for a comprehensive & just peace process in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions,” Sheikh Mohammed wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Israel’s government voted on Wednesday to support the Qatar-backed deal after a cabinet meeting. Before gathering with his full government, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Tuesday with his war cabinet and wider national security cabinet over the deal.
Hamas, in a statement, welcomed the temporary ceasefire agreement.
“During this time, Israel will stop military actions in all areas of the Gaza Strip, including movement of military vehicles. Hundreds of humanitarian aid trucks, including medical and fuel supplies, will be allowed into Gaza,” read the Hamas statement.
“Drones in southern Gaza will stop for four days. They will stop in the North for six hours per day, between 10am to 4pm local time. During the truce period, Israel ‘is committed not to attack or arrest anyone in all areas of the Gaza Strip. Freedom of movement will also be guaranteed along Salah Al Deen Street,” continued the statement.
The Israeli government came out with their own statement about the truce deal.
“The Government of Israel is obligated to return home all of the hostages. Tonight, the Government has approved the outline of the first stage of achieving this goal, according to which at least 50 hostages — women and children — will be released over four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be held. The release of every additional ten hostages will result in one additional day in the pause,” said a statement from the Israeli government.
Hamas is believed to be holding more than 200 hostages after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7.
All but three ministers in the far-right Jewish Power party are understood to have voted in favour of the deal.
The accord will see the first truce of a war in which Israeli bombardments flattened swathes of Hamas-ruled Gaza, killed more than 14,000 civilians in the tiny, densely populated enclave and left about two-thirds of its 2.3 million people homeless.
The pause in fighting would also allow for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli media said the first release of hostages was expected on Thursday. Implementing the deal must wait for 24 hours to give Israeli citizens the chance to ask the Supreme Court to block the release of Palestinian prisoners, reports said.
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