We will have to wait another twenty-four hours for the bombs to stop raining, and for the families of the Israeli hostages to see a miracle come true. According to information transmitted on Thursday, November 23, by a Palestinian official to AFP, the four-day truce which was to begin Thursday, November 23 in the Gaza Strip has been postponed by twenty-four hours.
The fighting will continue until then, and none of the hostages – who were to be returned to their families on Thursday midday in Tel Aviv – will be released before Friday.
Checking the health of the hostages
At issue: “last minute discussions” on the “names of the Israeli hostages” and the terms of their release. The Hamas terrorist movement has not yet signed the agreement following its validation yesterday by Israel.
First, it was proposed that they be entrusted to the Red Cross “to take them to Egypt”, bordering the Gaza Strip, before they were handed over “to the Israeli side”, according to the Palestinian source. of the AFP. “Then, it was proposed that a medical visit by Red Cross executives first take place to ensure the state of health of the hostages,” and a visit by them to the other civilian hostages.” so that they can ensure their state of health,” he added.
“Hamas is ready to comply with all the mechanisms decided. It will apply the one that is chosen,” assured this official. Despite this obstacle, “the mediators continue the shuttles between the two camps and the atmosphere is still constructive”, he insisted. “The Qatari, Egyptian and American mediators will monitor the implementation of this agreement and will note if there are any violations. They are the guarantors of the implementation of the truce agreement and the discussions to achieve it “, he explains.
Truce time known very soon
Qatar said Thursday that these negotiations were continuing “positively”. A senior Hamas official, contacted by AFP by telephone, for his part noted that there were “obstacles linked to the complication of the situation on the ground”, saying he hoped that “no error would have a negative impact or torpedo the truce.
In principle, the process discussed in recent days will remain unchanged: “Hamas will release 10 female and child hostages – under the age of 19 – and at the same time, 30 Palestinian prisoners will be released and the agreement will continue like this.” All this against a backdrop of a cessation of fighting throughout the Gaza Strip and limited overflights of Israeli planes in the North, he detailed.
Qatar, in coordination with the Egyptians and the Americans, is expected to announce in the coming hours today the start time of the truce.