Israel-Hamas truce extended after clashes: 20 prisoners against 60 prisoners
Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip for another two days, after intense negotiations led by mediators that intensified in the final hours of Monday, which was supposed to be the last day of the truce.
The Hamas movement announced, in a statement, “that it has been agreed with the brothers of Qatar and Egypt to extend the temporary humanitarian truce for another two days under the same conditions as the previous truce”.
The announcement of the truce extension came after Israel and Hamas agreed on the principle of extending the truce by one day for every 10 Israeli prisoners. The negotiations focused on extending the truce for another 4 days at once, as Hamas wanted, or day by day. as requested by Israel and in the end we agreed on two days.
While Qatar and Hamas confirmed the deal, Israel linked it to receiving the names of 20 other detainees held by Hamas. An Israeli official told various Israeli media that Israel would accept two more days of truce if it received the names of 20 detainees held by Hamas by 12pm on Monday.
Hamas leader Osama Hamdan confirmed in a statement that the movement is preparing a “new list” of hostages held “with the aim of extending the truce”.
In recent days, Hamas has handed over 50 prisoners (a woman and a child), while Israel has released 150 prisoners (a child and a woman) and is expected to hand over 20 more, excluding the soldiers.
Officials from the Hamas and Islamic Jihad movements confirmed that the dossier of the captured soldiers has not yet been opened and that its price is completely different.
The factions want to whitewash the prisons in exchange for the soldiers they have. The truce offers Israel and Hamas the opportunity to buy more time. For Hamas to gather its forces in Gaza and abroad and reorganize its priorities and cards, and also sort out its situation on the ground, including reaching other potential Israeli prisoners held by other factions and parties, and introducing of fuel, gas and aid into the country. the Gaza Strip. As for Israel, to relieve global and American pressure, to relieve the army and give it the opportunity to prepare again for the resumption of war on a larger scale.
Haaretz newspaper military analyst Amos Harel said “the ceasefire could last for several more days” as Hamas informed Qatar that it could take around 90 hostages, including foreigners, women, minors and others people in need of health. assistance, the majority of which is for the elderly.
Harel stressed that “there is no feeling in the Israeli army that the resumption of military operations is an urgent matter.” For two reasons; The first is that “the agreements within the Israeli government speak of a maximum limit for a truce lasting another week before the resumption of the war in Gaza, if during which it will be possible to repatriate other kidnapped people.” The second is that, although the delay (in resuming the war) is associated with the risks posed by Hamas reorganizing its forces, equipping it with weapons and making changes in its military preparedness, the army has also needed time to revitalize its forces and prepare them for war. the next phase.”
As for the citizens of Gaza, the truce represents another chance at life for them: in the last four days they have breathed a sigh of relief and the scene in the West Bank has calmed down a bit.
The quietest day since October 7th
On Monday, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank experienced their quietest day since October 7, with no deaths or injuries, and the release of the fourth group of Hamas-Israel prisoners was completed after disputes over names.
Hamas is expected to “belatedly” release 11 Israelis in exchange for 33 Palestinian prisoners as part of the fourth batch of the Israel-Hamas exchange deal, after disagreements over the list submitted by “Hamas” which did not include mothers, contrary to the According to the agreement that children will be released with their mothers, Hamas has offered to release 9 children and two elderly women.
Israeli broadcaster “Kan” confirmed on Monday the existence of active negotiations, mediated by Qatar and Egypt, to resolve disputed issues regarding the names of Israeli detainees who are due to be released on the same day. She pointed out that the fourth batch (Monday) includes the release of 11 Israelis, and added that the problem is that the list does not include mothers, but rather 9 children and two elderly women.
A senior Israeli official confirmed in a briefing to Israeli media that indirect negotiations with Hamas “continue” and, unless a last-minute surprise occurs, the fourth and final prisoner exchange will take place.
According to Israeli media, Hamas responded to Qatar’s interventions and changed the list.
Israel belatedly sent the Red Cross a list of 33 names, including 3 women and 30 children, to be released on Monday, and the Red Cross said it was preparing to receive the Israelis from Gaza.
Israel says that after Monday, 172 detainees are still believed to be held by Hamas and other factions in the Gaza Strip, including 11 children and 41 women. Among them are eight or nine Americans detained by Hamas.
The price of soldiers
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday that he was ready to extend the truce by one day for every 10 prisoners, but he realizes that sooner or later Hamas will stop, because the others will become soldiers, and Hamas wants a high price for them that he doesn’t believe Israel is willing to pay. Now, let’s wait how the war will go and whether or not they will be able to reach them on their own.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galant conducted a situation assessment on Monday to “determine” the location of prisoners and missing persons held in Gaza.
The session to assess the situation was attended by the head of the Mossad, Dedi Barnea, the deputy head of the Shin Bet and the leader of the secret services in the matter, Nitzan Alon.