Israel, Hamas agree on pausing war for 4 days
Israel and Hamas on Wednesday agreed to a four-day truce/pause mediated by Qatar for the release of 50 hostages. Around 150 Palestinians will also be released from Israeli jails. In addition, the Red Cross will be allowed to enter to help with humanitarian aid. After Israel's war cabinet approved the deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said their military would resume fighting after the pause.
Why does this story matter?
The truce is being welcomed as it comes after weeks of calls to stop the fighting in Gaza from around the world. It will allow essential supplies to reach the besieged Palestinian enclave. The war was triggered on October 7 when the Islamist terrorist group Hamas attacked Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Israel has so far killed 14,128 Palestinians.
3 out of 38 ministers vote against truce
Six hospitals in Israel are ready to receive the freed captives. Israel's war cabinet approved the accord after a meeting that reportedly lasted all night. Netanyahu said it is a "difficult decision, but it's a right decision." Only three of the 38 cabinet members voted against the deal—National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and two other ministers from his far-right party, Jewish Power (Otzma Yehudit).
Hostages from 40 countries: Israel
Israel said there are 33 children among the hostages taken by Hamas. The captives are from 40 countries and include at least 20 Thai farm workers, apart from Israeli soldiers. Hamas earlier released four hostages—two US citizens and two Israelis. It also said that 50 captives were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it recovered the bodies of two female captives near al-Shifa Hospital.
Starting time of pause to be announced within 24 hours
Humanitarian groups question Israel over continuing attacks on them
The pause would allow hundreds of trucks carrying aid supplies, including fuel, to reach Gaza, which have been lined up for days at the Rafah border between Egypt and Gaza. Meanwhile, humanitarian organizations are questioning Israel for targeting them despite the US sending GPS coordinates and information on their movement to Israel for at least a month to prevent attacks on them, Politico reported.
Israeli attacks killed doctors, WHO member's family: UN report
The latest report on Gaza by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said Israeli strikes on al-Alwda Hospital on Tuesday killed four doctors. Separately, a World Health Organization (WHO) member and her family, including her six-month-old child, were killed as Israel bombed their home in Gaza City. The WHO has documented 178 attacks by Israeli forces on health centers.
