Late yesterday, the Israeli government approved a pause in the fighting in Gaza to allow for Israeli hostages to be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners held in Israel. The government of Qatar provided its diplomatic resources, along with Egypt and the U.S., to arrange the exchange, as the Associated Press reports:
"Qatar on Wednesday announced a truce-for-hostages deal between Israel and Hamas that would bring a four-day halt in fighting in a devastating six-week war, win freedom for dozens of hostages held in the Gaza Strip, and also lead to the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry said it would announce within a day when the clock will start ticking on the truce, during which 50 hostages will be released in stages in exchange for what Hamas said would be 150 Palestinians prisoners held by Israel. Those freed by both sides will be women and children.
Humanitarian aid to besieged Gaza would also increase. [snip]
The Israeli government statement said that the truce would be extended an extra day for every additional 10 hostages released by Hamas.
A longer-term lull could lead to pressure, both international and domestic, for Israel to end its war without achieving its goal of destroying Hamas’ military capabilities."
There's little doubt that Hamas will attempt to resupply and reorganize their forces during the pause in fighting, but that was the trade-off that Israel agreed to in order for some hostages to be released. It also won't take much for the pause to be shattered by a group of gunmen determined to battle it out, exchange or no exchange.
BONUS:
I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th.⁰⁰I'm gratified that these brave souls, who have endured an unspeakable ordeal, will be reunited with their families once this deal is fully implemented.
— President Biden (@POTUS) November 22, 2023
