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Agreement will see some captives released from Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails.
Israel and Hamas have agreed to a four-day ceasefire mediated by Qatar that will see the release of 50 women and children held captive in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.
The deal was announced on Wednesday and the starting time is expected to be confirmed within the next 24 hours, according to a statement from Qatar.
The agreement also includes desperately needed humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza following weeks of relentless Israeli attacks that have killed more than 14,100 people, including 5,600 children, and forced about 1.7 million from their homes.
About 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attack on Israel.
Here are some early reactions to the pause:
US President Joe Biden
In a statement, US President Joe Biden said he welcomed the deal and thanked Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to secure an agreement.
“Jill and I have been keeping all those held hostage and their loved ones close to our hearts these many weeks, and I am extraordinarily gratified that some of these brave souls, who have endured weeks of captivity and an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented,” he said.
He stressed it needed to be “carried through in its entirety” and that it was “important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented”.
US Senate Majority Leader, Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer, who leads the Senate in the United States, said he was “pleased and relieved” that 50 captives would soon be returning to their families.
He also said it was a “positive development” that the pause in fighting would “allow additional humanitarian assistance into Gaza for the millions of innocent Palestinians who have nothing to do with Hamas” and said the Senate would “continue working to pass additional humanitarian assistance for innocent Palestinians, and make sure that Israel has the aid it needs to defend itself to ensure Hamas can never again pose such a threat to Israel”.
Human Rights Watch, Israel and Palestine Director Omar Shakir
“Following the mass atrocities of recent weeks, today’s agreement is welcome.
“Hostage-taking & blocking of life-saving aid are war crimes that are never justified. Human beings are not bargaining chips. Ceasefire or not, unlawful attacks should cease once and for all.”
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