Israel's government voted on Wednesday to back a deal for Palestinian Hamas militants to free 50 women and children held as hostages in Gaza in exchange for a four-day pause in fighting
Officials from Qatar, which has been mediating negotiations, as well as the U.S., Israel and Hamas have for days been saying a deal was imminent.
Ahead of the announcement of the deal, Netanyahu said the intervention of U.S. President Joe Biden had helped to improve the tentative agreement so that it included more hostages and fewer concessions.
"We are at war and we will continue the war until we achieve all our goals. To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel," Netanyahu said in a recorded message at the start of the government meeting.
A U.S. official briefed on the discussions said ahead of the deal that it would include the exchange of 150 Palestinian prisoners.
The pause would also allow for humanitarian aid into Gaza.
If I'm reading this article correctly, then it says that Genocide Joe argued with Qatar for Israel to have a shorter ceasefire.
I'm waiting for additional details but that's how i took it as well. Also raises the question of how much Biden's involvement might have delayed this process.
I found this on Netanyahu's twitter. There's a video on his twitter also where he says almost the same thing. It very much seems that Biden fought for a shorter ceasefire according to Netanyahu. I'm not sure how Biden could get any worse. This is really fucked.
In recent days, I have spoken with our friend, US President Joe Biden and I requested his intervention in order to improve the outline that will be presented to you. Indeed, it has been improved to include more hostages and at a lower cost.
These talks have been productive. President Biden joined in the effort and I thank him for it. Before you this evening, now, is a difficult decision but it is the correct decision.
https://nitter.net/IsraeliPM/status/1727091511618408950
He could also mean not doing a prisoner exchange. That's the only other "cost" I can think of for Israel.
The moment that those 50 are safe in Israel, the IDF will find an excuse to immediately start bombing again.
Nah, they just want 4 days to regroup. They gave up nothing, but hostages going home is good. Fewer people suffering. Not that 50 people is much, considering the literal millions displaced.
I watched Netanyahu's speech and he did say that war would resume immediately after the pause
The chances of Israel doing something fucked are high. However, I believe that the deal has the hostages being released at intervals of ~12 per day.
https://nitter.net/IsraeliPM/status/1727091023552156003
I was hopeful that this could lead to a longer pause in the fighting, but it sounds like Bibi isn't having it...
White House released a statement on the deal.
I welcome the deal to secure the release of hostages taken by the terrorist group Hamas during its brutal assault against Israel on October 7th.
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.
I thank Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani of Qatar and President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi of Egypt for their critical leadership and partnership in reaching this deal. And I appreciate the commitment that Prime Minister Netanyahu and his government have made in supporting an extended pause to ensure this deal can be fully carried out and to ensure the provision of additional humanitarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of innocent Palestinian families in Gaza. I look forward to speaking with each of these leaders and staying in close contact as we work to ensure this deal is carried through in its entirety. It is important that all aspects of this deal be fully implemented.
As President, I have no higher priority than ensuring the safety of Americans held hostage around the world. That’s why—from the earliest moments of Hamas’s brutal assault—my national security team and I have worked closely with regional partners to do everything possible to secure the release of our fellow citizens. We saw the first results of that effort in late October, when two Americans were reunited with their loved ones. Today’s deal should bring home additional American hostages, and I will not stop until they are all released.
Today’s deal is a testament to the tireless diplomacy and determination of many dedicated individuals across the United States Government to bring Americans home.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/11/21/statement-from-president-joe-biden-on-the-hostage-release-in-gaza/
Qatar has also released a statement on the deal.
The State of Qatar announces the success of its joint mediation efforts undertaken with the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America between Israel and the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), resulting in an agreement for a humanitarian pause. The starting time of the pause will be announced within the next 24 hours and last for four days, subject to extension.
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.
The State of Qatar affirms its commitment to ongoing diplomatic efforts to de-escalate tensions, stop the bloodshed, and protect civilians. In this regard, the State of Qatar appreciates the efforts of the Arab Republic of Egypt and the United States of America in reaching this agreement.
https://mofa.gov.qa/en/statements/the-state-of-qatar-announces-that-a-humanitarian-pause-has-been-agreed-in-gaza
