Israel and Hamas agreed to a four-day cease-fire that was to start today at 10 a.m., but that truce was delayed for one more day as Israel continued its retaliatory attack on Hamas.
The start of a short-term cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that will allow for the exchange of hostages and for aid to enter Gaza has been delayed until Friday.
It had previously been expected to begin on Thursday. https://t.co/KNNxTJnVqu
— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 22, 2023
According to Reuters, Hamas is expected to release 13 hostages on Friday consisting of Israeli women and children. The same number of hostages held by Hamas will be released each of the following three days for a total of 50 hostages. Israel would also extend the cease-fire one additional day for every 10 additional hostages released.
Hamas has sent a list of the first 13 women and children to be released and Israel expects those hostages to be returned at 4 p.m. Friday following the agreed upon 7 a.m. truce.
According to the terms of the cease-fire, Israel will release 150 Palestinian hostages in return for the 50 released to them. In addition to hostages being released, much-needed supplies, aid, and fuel will be allowed to cross over from Israel into Gaza during the truce.
The truce initially raised hopes around the world that the war could be nearing an end. Those hopes were put to rest by both sides.
“I want to be clear. The war is continuing. The war is continuing. We will continue it until we achieve all our goals,” Netanyahu said. He added that he would hunt down Hamas’ leadership wherever they are.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant echoed that sentiment saying, “This will be a short respite, after which the fighting will continue with intensity, and pressure will be made to bring back more hostages. At least two more months of fighting is expected.”
Hamas seems equally eager to continue the fighting even in the face of the constant air strikes and ground offensive being mounted by Israel.
“As we announce the striking of a truce agreement, we affirm that our fingers remain on the trigger, and our victorious fighters will remain on the lookout to defend our people and defeat the occupation,” Hamas said.
The fighting began on October 7 when Hamas radicals mounted a surprise attack against Israel killing close to 1,200 Israelis and taking 240 hostage.
Israel retaliated with airstrikes and a ground offensive in Northern Gaza that has killed between 13,000 and 14,000 Palestinians. The Israeli government is seeking to dismantle Hamas leadership in Gaza and get back all of the hostages taken during the war.
Today marks the 48th day of fighting in the Israel-Hamas war, and even with a four-day truce beginning tomorrow, the end of the war is nowhere in sight.
