GAZA CITY: As the awaited release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners’ looms, tensions rise over allegations of truce violations by Israel, according to Taher al-Nunu, an adviser to the head of Hamas’s political bureau. Al-Nunu claimed several breaches of the agreement by Israel, stating, “We are open to proposals from mediators and are ready to examine proposals for new deals.”
One key point of contention raised by al-Nunu is Israel’s failure to commit to providing aid to northern Gaza, threatening the entire agreement. He also accused Israel of violating the truce by allowing soldiers to open fire in several locations, resulting in the death of two Palestinians. The director-general of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Munir al-Bursh, reportedly confirmed the deaths caused by Israeli soldiers’ firing on medical teams.
Meanwhile, regarding today’s anticipated release of Palestinian prisoners, a total of 42 Palestinians, including 18 women and 24 children, are expected to be released from Israeli jails. The release process will take place via Ofer Prison in the occupied West Bank.
Additionally, 14 hostages held in Gaza are slated for release through a process facilitated by the International Committee of the Red Cross. The exact timing of the releases, however, remains unclear.
Hostage-Prisoner Releases After Gaza Truce
Following the devastating seven-week Israeli bombardments that killed over 14,854 Palestinians, the Gaza Strip is experiencing a fragile calm as the second day of a four-day truce appears to hold. The truce has allowed for a series of hostage-prisoner exchanges between Hamas and Israel, marking a step towards easing tensions in the region.
Israeli prison authorities have confirmed that 42 Palestinian inmates, mostly women and children, are to be freed under the terms of the agreement, with an exchange ratio of three to one. In response, Hamas is expected to release a total of 50 hostages during the truce, as part of a broader agreement involving talks with Israel, Palestinian groups, Qatar, Egypt, and the United States.
The first exchange, which took place on the first day of the truce, saw the release of 24 hostages by Hamas. Among them were 13 Israelis, along with ten Thais and one Filipino who were unexpectedly freed. The releases have brought both relief and joy to families who had feared the worst for their loved ones. Israel, in turn, has freed 39 innocent Palestinian women and children from its prisons.
Despite the positive developments, approximately 215 hostages are still believed to be in Gaza, their fate unknown in many cases. The international community, including the United States, has cautiously welcomed the progress, with President Joe Biden stating, “It is only a start, but so far it has gone well,” expressing optimism about extending the truce.
The truce has also allowed for a humanitarian convoy to enter Gaza, bringing much-needed aid, including fuel, food, and medicine. This marks a significant relief for the people of Gaza, who have been struggling under near-total siege conditions, with shortages of essential supplies.
Since October 7, the Israeli military has launched a campaign of relentless bombardments, targeting schools, markets, refugee camps, and hospitals in the besieged Palestinian enclave. So far, over 14,854 innocent Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli bombardments in the Gaza Strip. “The victims include 6,150 Palestinian children and over 4,000 Palestinian women, while more than 36,000 people have been injured.”
