50 hostages will be released

[Ohlalalalala]

At least a bit of good news in the darkness:

Israel's cabinet has approved a deal with Hamas to secure the release of 50 hostages being held in Gaza.

The hostages will be released over a four-day pause in fighting, a statement from the Israeli prime minister's office says.

Under the deal, the release of every additional 10 hostages will extend the pause in fighting by one day.

The deal was approved by Israel's cabinet after a lengthy meeting that ran into the early hours of Wednesday.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-middle-east-67481139

If successful, it'll be the first break since the beginning of the war.

Here's what we know about the deal:

Israeli officials say the 50 hostages to be released will all be women and children.

The pause in fighting could last for more than four days - Israel says that for every 10 hostages released on top of the initial 50, the pause will be extended by a day.

Israel also insists that this isn't the end of the war - which "will continue" to get all the hostages home, "complete the elimination of Hamas" and ensure there's "no new threat" to Israel from Gaza.

Hamas says the 50 hostages will be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli jails.

Qatar, which mediated the agreement, says hundreds of trucks carrying aid, medical supplies and fuel will be allowed to enter Gaza, which is facing a dire humanitarian situation.

It's still not clear when the pause will start - Qatar says this will be announced in the next 24 hours.

Israel-Hamas war live: Gaza truce agreed; 50 captives to be freed https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2023/11/22/israel-hamas-war-live-israeli-government-to-vote-on-gaza-truce-deal

Israel, Hamas agree ceasefire deal, paving way for some captives’ release https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/22/israel-agrees-to-ceasefire-deal-paving-way-for-some-captives-release

50 Israeli hostages going back to freedom. How many of the 150 Palestinians will still be alive once Israel resumes its genocide? It should be linked to a ceasefire not a pause.

I agree.

But it's progress and negotiations are still ongoing. Hopefully we'll hear about ceasefire soon.

Israel also insists that this isn't the end of the war - which "will continue" to get all the hostages home, "complete the elimination of Hamas" and ensure there's "no new threat" to Israel from Gaza.

Well that's terrifying rhetoric.

Very good news for the family of the 50. I can't imagine what they've gone through.

I wonder how Israel could justify doing anything else though? Why would they do this and then sit back and let Hamas repeat the 7 October attack? Lets remember that Hamas have said they will do it again until they have eliminated every Jew. That's terrifying, genocidal, rhetoric. Elimination of Hamas doesn't necessarily mean only military action. It needs to be accompanied by diplomacy too because Hamas and its vast wealth is protected by a number of states in the region and the international community need to do more about that.

Permanent ceasefire and then an end to the occupation, that would be Israels best move for long lasting peace and security

Long lasting peace needs someone willing to do that from the Israeli side; Palestinians have always wanted that.

The current Israeli government members need to be tried at the Hague and convicted for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, etc.

People seem to forget that Palestine has a government and a president which are not Hamas. Palestinians need to be given back their stollen land and to be allowed back to their ancestral homes. Israel needs to be forced to accept all of the UN'S resolutions on that regard. When Israel starts respecting the law and acting like a responsible entity, then and only then peace will prevail.

https://decolonizepalestine.com/myth/israel-has-always-sought-peace/

Tragically the 150 Palestinian children who are likely to be the ones released by Israel are probably safer where they are.

I agree, perhaps dialogue with the US and Qatar will lead to this. It works in everyone's favour and will allow both the Palestinians and Israelis to move forward.

Exactly. Stuck between a rock and a hard place. I don't think this is going to be positive for the Palestinians, Israel wants Gaza and will continue the "but Hamas" until they've killed every Palestinian.

^ Settler says she "dreams of living in Gush Katif" (Gaza)

Sadly I agree 😔

see this makes sense to me, and I think Israel has gone far beyond normal retaliation. But this wouldn't work surely? Hamas have stated and never taken back that they wish to wipe Israel out. So I think we would be back here very soon tbh 😕

In what universe is ‘genocide’ applicable to
Hamas atrocity killers?

Trying to grab the hated Jews’ high ground linguistically as well as geographically, are we.

Doesn’t work. Generally, anti-semitism is pretty obvious.

Great news for the hostages. I don’t think Israel has said it wants to kill every Palestinian.

Hamas cannot be negotiated with, they themselves have been clear on that point repeatedly (in actual television interviews) also said that as 75% of Gazans are refugees they are the responsibility of the UN not Hamas in terms of food water, shelter and safety, I mean what do you with that?

Hamas will use the five day ceasefire to organise themselves and the next round will probably be worse.

no, Israel haven't said this.
What they have said is that Israel won't stop until they've eliminated Hamas. Completely reasonable response to the disgusting actions of Hamas, which is a terrorist organisation.
But don't let that stop you continuing spewing out your antisemitici poison.

Why can't Israel make a deal with the President of Palestine (who isnt a part of Hamas) and say they will agree to a seperate unoccupied Palestinian state with them. Following this there can be a new election in Gaza, which is long overdue considering the last was in 2006, which will also support Israels goal of removing Hamas. (That election was also supported/facilitated by the US, so I'm sure they could do the same again)
Anyone who thinks Israel is an innocent bystander that wants/advocates for peace is incredibly misinformed, the government is incredibly far-right and has often described Palestinians as sub-humans/animals.

The only way for safety and security for both people will be via external pressure from outside governments.
I hope this is the last tragedy for both the Israelis and Palestinians and that the Palestinians finally see an end to the occupation.

I saw that on Channel 4 news last night. It made me so depressed to see ordinary Israelis talk that way.

@itsallnewnow I hear this line about Hamas wanting to kill every last Jew...but in reality Hamas has previously agreed to a 2 state solution with 1967 borders. In 2016 or 2017, I can't remember exactly. So I don't think that line should be used as an excuse to carry out genocide and ethnic cleansing.

@Supersimkin2 I don't understand your post. Are you equating Hamas with all Gazans?

@Noicant they may not have said it but you know...they're doing it. They're killing thousands of civilians and they've displaced well over a million people.

Has there been any announcement regarding how many Hamas operatives have been killed out of the 13,000+ dead?

They are fighters and will join the fight again on the side of hamas so will become legitimate targets.
Those who were released for Gilad Shalit were the architects of October 7th.