Hamas and Israel have expressed in statements their willingness to resume hostilities after agreeing to a pause in fighting through Qatar.
The deal includes the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails in exchange for 50 people held captive by Hamas in Gaza since the armed group that rules the enclave stormed southern Israel on October 7 .
Under the terms of the agreement, Israel will cease all military actions in Gaza for four days and allow hundreds of trucks carrying humanitarian aid, medical aid and fuel to enter the territory.
Here are the statements issued by the warring parties, as well as by the mediator:
Qatar
“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 a pause agreement humanitarian.
The start time of the break will be announced in the next 24 hours and will last four days, subject to extension.
The agreement provides for 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 held in Israeli prisons. The number of people released will be increased in subsequent stages of the agreement’s implementation. agreement.
The humanitarian pause will also allow the entry of more humanitarian convoys and emergency aid, including fuel for humanitarian needs.
The State of Qatar affirms its commitment to ongoing diplomatic efforts to ease tensions, end 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.
Hamas
“Inspired by our responsibility to our patient and determined Palestinian people, and by our tireless efforts to support the steadfastness of our heroic people in the dignified Gaza Strip, and to provide relief and heal their wounds, and in our work to consolidate the will of our victorious resistance on October 7 against the Zionist enemy.
After complex and difficult negotiations for several days, we announce, with the help of Almighty God, that we have reached a humanitarian truce agreement (a temporary pause in fighting) for four days, thanks to the persistent efforts and appreciated by Qatar and Egypt, according to which (there will be):
– A pause in the fighting on both sides, a halt to all military actions of the occupying army in all areas of the Gaza Strip and a halt to the movement of its military vehicles entering the Gaza Strip.
– Authorize the sending of hundreds of trucks of humanitarian, relief, medical and fuel aid to all areas of the Gaza Strip, without exception, in the north and south.
– The release of 50 women and children under the age of 19 detained by the occupation, in exchange for the release of 150 women and children under the age of 19 of our people from the prisons of the occupation, all according to the duration of their imprisonment. .
– Stoppage of air traffic in the south for four days.
– Stoppage of air traffic in the north six hours a day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
– During the pause in fighting, the occupation pledged not to attack or arrest anyone in all areas of the Gaza Strip.
– Guarantee the freedom of movement of people (from north to south) along the Salah al-Din road.
– The terms of this agreement were formulated in accordance with the vision of the resistance and its principles, which aim to serve our people and strengthen their firmness in the face of aggression, and always in the spirit of their sacrifices, their sufferings and concerns, and he led these negotiations with a stance of firmness and strength on the ground, despite the occupation’s attempts to prolong and procrastinate the negotiations.
– As we announce the arrival of a pause in the combat agreement, we affirm that our hands will remain on the trigger and that our victorious brigades will remain on the lookout to defend our people and defeat the occupation and its aggression.
– We promise our people that we will remain faithful to their blood, their sacrifices, their patience, their steadfastness and their aspirations for liberation and freedom, the restoration of rights and the creation of a Palestinian state independent with Jerusalem as its capital, God willing.”
Israel
“The Israeli government is obliged to repatriate all the hostages.
This evening, the government approved the outline of the first step to achieve this goal, according to which at least 50 hostages – women and children – will be released over the course of four days, during which a pause in the fighting will be observed.
The release of ten additional hostages will result in an additional day of break.
The government of Israel (the Israeli army) and the security services will continue the war in order to repatriate all hostages, complete the elimination of Hamas and ensure that there will be no new threat to Israel. State of Israel coming from Gaza. »